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RACGP responds to mid-year economic and fiscal outlook


Paul Hayes


29/01/2018 2:37:50 PM

The RACGP has examined key expense measures included in the Federal Government’s 2017–18 mid-year economic and fiscal outlook.

The RACGP has called on the Federal Government to provide further information on how and where its $409 million in savings have been reinvested into Medicare.
The RACGP has called on the Federal Government to provide further information on how and where its $409 million in savings have been reinvested into Medicare.

The RACGP scrutinises the Federal Government’s budget and mid-year economic and fiscal outlook (MYEFO) measures each year.
 
‘The RACGP wants to work closely with the general practice groups and committees affected by these measures,’ Dr Beres Wenck, RACGP Expert Committee – General Practice Advocacy and Funding (REC–GPAF) Chair, told newsGP.
 
‘December’s MYEFO saw a number of changes which will affect RACGP members and their patients.’
 
The 2017–18 MYEFO announced savings of $409 million over four years, a result of the implementation of recommendations from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review.
 
‘While the RACGP is happy to see these savings reinvested back into the health sector, the MYEFO papers do not specify how or where this reinvestment will occur,’ Dr Wenck said.
 
‘The RACGP has called on the Federal Government to provide further information detailing how and where the $409 million in savings have been reinvested into Medicare. Our priority is to see any reinvestment better support general practice.’
 
Dr Wenck and REC–GPAF will lead the RACGP’s contribution to the MBS Review, with its General Practice and Primary Care Clinical Committee set to review items used in general practice and release draft recommendations later this year.
 
‘We intend to provide significant input responding to any recommendations it makes affecting GPs, and will continue to work with members to ensure their views are put forward,’ Dr Wenck said.  
 
December’s MYEFO also included spending on research and detail on reforms of aged care and private health insurance. The RACGP’s summary provides an overview of the areas within the MYEFO that affect general practice.
 
REC–GPAF will continue to review the Federal Government’s budget measures and will provide members with an analysis of outcomes from 2018–19 federal budget when it is released in May.



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