MEDICARE
- A Fair Go, Fair Share?
Fair
Go, Fair Share was the theme of the SAO campaign in
the lead-up to the last Federal Election and it is shaping
up to
be the same for upcoming elections. The proposed changes to Medicare
and its funding arrangements ring very high-pitched and loud
alarm bells in relation to a fair go for all Australians.
Medicare
currently is a universal public health system which provides
access to care, based on health needs rather than the
ability to pay. What will result from the proposed changes
to Medicare will result in the establishment of a two-tiered
system
similar to that of the USA. NATSEM Research (The Courier-Mail 11
January 2001) we quoted during the Fair
Go, Fair Share Campaign
highlighted the fact that the “health gap” between
the rich and poor in Australia had widened in the last two
decades. Those at the bottom of the income scale, on $27,500
a year or
less (40% of Australians), tend to have poorer health compared
with higher-income groups. This impacted significantly on children
of low-income families who were more likely to suffer from
illnesses such as asthma, deafness and bronchitis. The research
identified
the “working poor”, the unemployed and others reliant
on social security incomes as the most vulnerable. The changes
to Medicare will no doubt widen this gap and make these people
far, far more vulnerable.
What can
we do? Firstly we need to reflect on the situation in light
of the gospel and Catholic
Social Teaching, and then
take
some action. Government in Australia today is seriously abdicating
many responsibilities and we need to remind them of their
responsibilities. The following are just two quotations that
can assist our reflection:
The function
of the rulers of the State, moreover, is to watch over the
community and its parts;
but in protecting
private
individuals in their rights, chief consideration ought
to be given to the
weak and the poor.
The
Fortieth Year (#25)
and
Individuals
and groups within a society have an obligation to pursue
not only their own interests but the good
of all. The governing and administrative bodies
of a society are obliged to safeguard and promote the common good,
as well as the good of the society’s component
parts. (p.13)
Common
Wealth for the Common Good (1992)
ACTION: On
15 May 2003 the Senate agreed that a Select Committee, to be
known as the
Select Committee on Medicare,
be appointed
to inquire into the changes.
This Committee will report to the Senate by 12 August 2003. The Committee
is receiving submissions, so you may wish to present
a submission. Submissions
do not have to be long and only need focus on one aspect of the whole
debate. You
could write a letter to the Committee addressing the critical issues.
Guidelines on how to make a submission can be found by clicking
here or
phone the SAO for them (07 3891 5866).
Some identified
critical issues are:
