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By Jan Bowman<\/a>\u00a0 @GriffithElects<\/a><\/p>\n 4 January 2014<\/p>\n When, just after Christmas, the Australian Centre for Health Research<\/a>\u00a0(ACHR) announced it had made a submission to the Government\u2019s Commission of Audit proposing the introduction of a mandatory Medicare co-payment, there were calls on Twitter for the media to ask Dr Bill Glasson whether he would support such a proposal.<\/p>\n That seemed like a big ask: the first day back at work after the Christmas break, Dr Glasson\u2019s answering service issued the message that his office would be closed until Monday, January 6.<\/p>\n Yet an enterprising ABC reporter managed to get hold of him, and the resulting report sparked a storm of interest, not just in the Griffith electorate, but nationally. Dr Glasson\u2019s comments were a trending issue on Twitter this week, and have been reported in the mainstream media.<\/p>\n His response was always going to be of interest for two reasons: he is a doctor and past president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA); and he is Tony Abbott\u2019s friend, a \u2018hand-picked\u2019 candidate for Griffith.<\/p>\n The ABC quoted Dr Glasson: “I do support an affordable price signal, but we have to make sure it wouldn’t impact on the most vulnerable in our society, especially children, the elderly, Indigenous and patients with chronic conditions\u201d.<\/p>\n “If you can afford to pay, you should pay, to keep the system fair and affordable.”<\/p>\n Given the speed and ferocity of the negative responses to the proposal, not least from the current president of the AMA, Dr Steve Hambleton, Dr Glasson\u2019s contributions to this debate sets him apart, because neither his leader, nor the Health Minister, have made their positions clear, preferring to leave any decisions to the Audit Commissioners.<\/p>\n The ALP\u2019s Terri Butler, Dr Glasson\u2019s challenger in the Griffith by-election, spoke to No Fibs today.<\/p>\n \u201cAs he (Dr Glasson) is standing for Federal parliament, I would like to think his comment was a considered one. I would hope that when radical ideas are proposed he gives them due consideration,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he is in favour of this initiative, is that then indicative of what Mr Abbott might be saying?\u201d<\/p>\n Asked what reactions she is hearing in Griffith, Ms Butler said: \u201cIf people are floating an idea that undermines universal health care, people will react strongly\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are really confused about what\u2019s being suggested and why,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at what the proposed savings are, this proposal looks to be much more ideological than financial.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms Butler said that people are rightly worried about how this might play out for them. For example, she said, the fee might start at $5 or $6, but some are worried it will be increased later.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has certainly been the case that co-payments for pharmaceuticals have increased substantially since they were introduced,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is confusing and worrying for people who have grown up with universal health care. There is confusion for people my parents\u2019 age and older, who gave up pay rises in the 1980s. They are rightly saying: \u2018well hang on, what\u2019s happening to universal health care in Australia?<\/p>\n \u201cMr Abbott hasn\u2019t ruled it out. Mr Dutton hasn\u2019t ruled it out. The only member of the Liberal party who has been categorical in his support is my opponent, Bill Glasson,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Greens\u2019 candidate for Griffith, Geoff Ebbs, was quoted in a press release today: \u201cTony Abbott should be looking to his billionaire mining mates to help balance his books, not every day struggling residents\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe people of Griffith will be queuing up at our local hospitals\u2019 emergency departments to avoid paying this extra cost,\u201d Ebbs said.<\/p>\n \u201cAlternatively, they just won\u2019t go to the doctor themselves or take their sick kids because they can\u2019t afford it.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement to No Fibs, Geoff Ebbs said: \u201cThese backwards \u2018robbing hoods\u2019 invent a new way every day to rob the poor. Ordinary working families are now struggling as the underclass in a two-speed economy. The Greens will stand up to these bullies and fight for ordinary Australians.\u201d<\/p>\n Given the current political climate, the residents of Griffith might rightly be wondering, \u2018what next?\u2019.<\/p>\n STOP PRESS:<\/strong> Health Minister Peter Dutton says Medicare unsustainable without ‘overhaul’<\/a>\u00a0(undisclosed before election).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"BcnNYzMCMAAvM7a\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/BcnNYzMCMAAvM7a.jpg?resize=598%2C387\")
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