“Working people already pay for Medicare through their general taxes and the Medicare Levy. Now they will face an extra new ‘gap’ payment for GP visits as well,” ACTU President Sharan Burrow said today.

“A working family of four with an average number of GP visits would have to pay around $500 extra per year for formerly bulk-billed GP visits and pathology tests,” Ms Burrow said.

“Australians should not be fooled by John Howard’s pretence about saving Medicare. As a result of his changes, doctors fees will increase like never before and bulk billing will be restricted mainly to pensioners and health cardholders.

“The Howard Government’s policies have already resulted in alarming increases in out-of-pocket health care costs and a collapse in bulk billing by GPs. These trends will only get worse under the latest changes,” Ms Burrow said.

“John Howard’s plan would end the universal nature of Medicare and remove the 20-year-old system of restraint on doctors fees. By scrapping the ban on GPs charging up-front for gap-only costs, John Howard would give free reign to doctors to increase fees.

“Despite the Howard Government’s preference for private health insurance, Medicare has been a world-class public health system that has served Australia well. Unions will campaign to save Medicare from the Liberal Party’s vandals.”

The ACTU will convene a Save Medicare meeting in Melbourne on Friday with leaders from health industry groups and political, community and welfare organisations.