The Australian Society of Anaesthetists has responded to an article published in the Australian Financial Review on July 12 concerning a proposal to cap medical specialist fees.
Read the response from ASA President, Dr Vida Viliunas, 15 July 2026
Background
The article notes a proposed amendment to the Australian Labor Party’s National Platform, to be considered at its upcoming National Conference from 23 – 25 July, which seeks to cap medical specialist fees.
The article states the proposal is backed by private health insurers and calls on the government to work with private health insurers to crack down on non-GP specialists, who the amendment says engage in “cartel behaviour.”
The proposal has emerged amid broader debate about healthcare affordability and increasing out-of-pocket expenses for specialist consultations. Health Minister Mark Butler has identified specialist fees as an area of policy focus and has referred related issues to a parliamentary inquiry examining access to and affordability of medical specialists in Australia.
The inquiry will receive submissions addressing its terms of reference by Friday, 16 October 2026.
Supporters of the proposal, including representatives of the private health insurance sector, argue that rising specialist fees can create barriers to accessing healthcare. They cite concerns about patient affordability and delayed care.
In the article, the Australian Medical Association argues that increasing patient costs cannot be viewed in isolation from broader issues such as Medicare rebate levels and public hospital funding pressures. The AMA has stated its support for fee transparency and informed financial consent while cautioning against attributing affordability challenges solely to specialist billing practices.
The proposed amendment has not been adopted as government policy. If agreed at the ALP National Conference, it would form part of the party’s National Platform, which sets out policy positions for the party. Any future government policy or legislative proposal would require further consideration through the usual Cabinet, caucus and parliamentary processes before it could be implemented.
Response from the Australian Society of Anaesthetists
In a response sent to the Australian Financial Review on 15 July, ASA President Dr Vida Viliunas argues that healthcare affordability is a complex system-wide issue that cannot be solved simply by capping specialist fees.
She highlights the long-term erosion of Medicare rebates relative to inflation and rising practice costs, including staffing, insurance, equipment and regulatory requirements. Dr Viliunas also warns that suppressing specialist fees without broader funding reform could reduce the viability of private practice, place additional pressure on public hospitals and ultimately affect patient access to care.
Finally, Dr Viliunas called on the government to undertake comprehensive reforms to address Medicare funding, private health insurance arrangements, system transparency and workforce sustainability.
“Australians deserve a conversation about healthcare affordability that is evidence-based, balanced and focused on long-term sustainability – not one that reduces a complex issue to a single number on an invoice,” said Dr Viliunas.
For more information
Read the full response from ASA President, Dr Vida Viliunas, 15 July 2026
Ronald Mizen and Michael Smith, “Labor Left pushes for hard cap on specialist doctor fees”, Australian Financial Review, 12 July 2026
House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability Inquiry into access to and affordability of medical specialists in Australia.