Every Australian could be deeply affected by the Health Insurance Act 1973 and its subsequent amendments, by having your valued, hardworking, General Practitioner (GP) ripped away due to this unfair and unjust legislation. This legislation has far reaching and debilitating impacts on our society nationwide, particularly when it comes to the rights and ability of our General Practitioners (GPs) to provide adequate care.

As a chronic pain patient I know all too well how extremely difficult it can be to find a GP willing to take on and manage my chronic pain. The Health Insurance Act 1973 and its Amendments affect those of us who are most vulnerable and require expert frequent medical care and pain management. This is our only opportunity to help our GP's, help us. 

Medicare has an audit system which is called Professional Services Review (PSR).  It has operated for 30 years.  Whilst it is unknown to the public it well known amongst doctors and is renowned for its gross lack of procedural fairness and its kangaroo court – star chamber methods of operating. It is usually triggered by high numbers of patients which can be caused by many features of medical practice including bulk billing (this always causes patient numbers to rise), the doctor is very good (word will get around and he will get busy), ethnic factors (like a Korean speaking doctor working in the Korean community), geographical isolation (like Ayer’s rock), or special skills, like pain medicine, women’s health or addiction medicine (shortage of other resources).  Some of these exceptions are built into the Medicare legislation but are always ignored by the PSR machinery in practice.  And worst of all is good doctors who bulk bill, offer specialized skillsets and are professionally isolated or unique. What this means is the GP's who work the hardest to provide continuous care for their patients, can face prosecution simply for doing so. 

Regrettably, based on the current legislation, GPs cannot meaningfully defend themselves, leading to a steady conviction rate of 100% since 2008. That amounts to 173 convictions out of 173, including those of two doctors who sadly lost their lives amidst the proceedings.

This lack of procedural fairness not only adds undue distress and workload to the already strained doctors but also trickles down to affect the patients and the efficiency of our healthcare system. It contributes significantly to ambulance ramping and pressures the public hospital system.

It is heart-wrenching to see that our healthcare system, rather than embodying an environment that fosters care, healing and trust, is being reduced to a battlefield for our GPs. This situation is particularly concerning for vulnerable members of our society, like myself, who rely heavily on consistent, quality healthcare.

In light of these issues, our petition demands that the Health Insurance Act 1973 and its amendments be revised. We want to ensure a system where fairness and justice predominate, and where GPs can provide care without fearing unjust convictions.

We appeal for your support to bring about this change. Sign our petition, and help us fight for a more equitable healthcare system.