(Australia) Health groups fear $5 GP fee will hit hospital emergency departments [View all]

[The Straight Story]

Hospital emergency departments could be overrun by patients trying to avoid a proposed $5 fee to see a doctor being considered by the Abbott Government.

And health groups have warned chronically ill patients who put off seeing a doctor because of the cost could see their condition worsen and require much more expensive hospital treatment.

The government's Commission of Audit is considering the introduction of a $5 fee for bulk billing doctors to reduce unnecessary visits to GPs and save the government around $750 million a year.

Mr Abbott has refused to rule out the introduction of the fee and has warned in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph the country does "need a massive fiscal repair job".

Health Minister Peter Dutton said yesterday "we won't be commenting on speculation around what the Commission of Audit may or may not recommend".

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-groups-fear-5-gp-fee-will-hit-hospital-emergency-departments/story-fneuz9ev-1226791543887