This morning ASA President, Dr Vida Viliunas, was interviewed by Rafael Epstein on the ABC Melbourne Mornings program about specialist fees and patient out-of-pocket costs.
Dr Viliunas says the ASA supports reasonable fees for anaesthetists and affordable care options for everybody, but that indexation of Medicare and private health insurance rebates are at the heart of this matter. She also stresses the need for more investment in the public health system and medical specialist training.
You can listen to the audio recording of this interview on the ABC website here.
The segment is introduced by Rafael Epstein in the first two minutes and thirty seconds. The interview with Dr Viliunas begins at 7 minutes and concludes at 18 minutes and 45 seconds.
For more information
You can read these recent ASA media releases on the ASA website:
Australia’s public hospitals still under significant strain (10 December)
Getting to the facts on specialist fees (9 December)
Australian anaesthetists – smarter, better care (21 November)
ABS Confirms Fewer Australians Delaying Medical Specialist Care Due to Cost (20 November)
ASA responds to Private Health Australia’s claims on out-of-pocket costs (13 November)