Patients urged to sign rebate petition
West Australians visiting their GP could be bombarded with petitions and posters critical of the Federal Government's looming cuts to Medicare rebates.
Medical groups are ramping up their fight against the reductions, urging doctors to display posters with messages such as, "You're being targeted", and to enlist patients to sign petitions.
The first cuts start on January 19, when patients will get $20 less in rebates for appointments under 10 minutes, mostly brief consultations for simple procedures such as immunisations and prescription renewals.
In July, when rebates are scheduled to be cut a further $5, some patients will pay gaps of up to $63.
Though doctors are distancing themselves from the rebate reductions and urging patients not to blame them, there are concerns of a growing backlash.
Some GPs have been using social media to get support for a major demonstration, including a "GP strike day".
Though the Royal Australian College of GPs is not backing industrial action, it is using a new campaign to get patients onside because it said the Government had not listened to doctors.
A college spokeswoman said letters were being circulated so patients could write to the Federal Government to voice concerns and petitions in doctors' surgeries were the next step.
The Australian Medical Association WA has sent GPs an urgent survey about likely repercussions for their surgeries.
President Michael Gannon said he believed many GPs would continue to discount fees for vulnerable patients and this could make their practices unviable.
"These changes being foisted on GPs will completely change their practices and for some it will threaten their ability to practise," he said.
Some were saying it was "the final straw" and they would close because they could not make a living with the changes.
Dr Gannon said general practice was one of the most cost- effective parts of health care and any disincentive for people with limited means to visit their GP would add pressure to more costly public hospital emergency departments and wards.
