RHP

RHP User

M41

$14 for an STI check - good policy?

May 14 2014

Because there's nothing sexier than politics, I thought I'd seek out the collective wisdom of the tribe. I'll keep it sexy fun times (and their not-so-sexy fun consequences) relevant though. Last night's Budget introduced a $7 consultation fee for GP visits. For those of us who get regular STI checks (that's ALL of us, right?), that's $7 a pop for the tests and $7 for the results. Say you get 4 tests a year, we're up to $56 each. Couples are $112. Now, my question is, do you think this is a good idea? I can see certain arguments for it. From the 'individual responsibility' perspective, swinging and/or sex with multiple partners is a lifestyle choice. It's not unreasonable to ask a modest contribution to be tested, because choices you make put you directly at risk*. Taking this consideration alone, it's hard to argue why other taxpayers should be required to subsidise your lifestyle through your medical coverage. From a community and public health perspective, however, it may have very poor outcomes. The amount these contributions will raise is considered by most economists to have a disproportionately small direct impact on the bottom line. The real savings come from disincentivising people from visiting in the first place. Public health officials already have difficulty convincing people to get checked regularly. The $14 may be more a psychological barrier than financial, but it certainly won't help encourage people to get tested as a preventative measure (ie. before symptoms are showing.) Less testing means less diagnosis and prevention. Costs that come from spreading STIs are increased need for subsidised medication and repeat visits for infection/disease management, infertility and treatments, and of course hospitalisations for some of the nastier ones. So my question is: do you think a small GP cost will make a difference in increasing the rates of STIs in Australia? Or do you think it will have no impact, because people that were going to get checked will still get checked, and those that weren't still won't?

Comments

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  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    I was at the X ray place, a poor woman in front if me a pensioner, they said your part is 350 bucks on the spot. She said I can't I am on a pension. They said only a specialist referral, then up to Perth and only one of their branch bulk bills. So it would have cost her too much anyway. She walked out as she could not afford to pay. I had to pay 180 for my part of the xray. My doctor today 75 bucks, tomorrow another 75 bucks. Two lots of antibiotic 120 bucks, I have diverticulitis, hurts like a bitch, especially in my hip pocket! It's an expensive business being I'll. God knows what that woman will do.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Why do doctors become doctors? So they can get free medical and rip every one else off, with their over the top bills, to pay for their ridiculously over priced houses. Trust me I put a stainless steel kitchen in a doctors house cost of kitchen $47000 in total house cost $ 2.7 mil, fuck I was stupid at school should have paid more attention and became a doctor. Guess the age of the doctor 35

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'LadyTuscan' I was at the X ray place, a poor woman in front if me a pensioner, they said your part is 350 bucks on the spot. She said I can't I am on a pension. They said only a specialist referral, then up to Perth and only one of their branch bulk bills. So it would have cost her too much anyway. She walked out as she could not afford to pay. Pity sure as shit didn't help her, hey? I can't be asked arguing nearly every point you made 2 pages ago, I'll instead say your generalisations are quite distasteful to me. But don't change, I like your sassy attitude. I just agree to disagree immensely.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'Coriander' Quoting 'LadyTuscan' I was at the X ray place, a poor woman in front if me a pensioner, they said your part is 350 bucks on the spot. She said I can't I am on a pension. They said only a specialist referral, then up to Perth and only one of their branch bulk bills. So it would have cost her too much anyway. She walked out as she could not afford to pay. Pity sure as shit didn't help her, hey? I can't be asked arguing nearly every point you made 2 pages ago, I'll instead say your generalisations are quite distasteful to me. But don't change, I like your sassy attitude. I just agree to disagree immensely. you quoted me right, pity did not help her at all you think i don't know, I have been on a disability pension myself but I accept that others cant always carry me either. It was a private clinic they can charge what they like.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Did anyone else spot that hard arsed Tuscan also said... . pity never helped anyone. DG is right sometimes you have to make people take responsibility for their lives and honey everyone in Australia can get assistance if the need it. Not one person is on the streets without a form of income, they have community teams that go into the streets to keep people on benefit. I just rented a house to a couple of guys, yes homeless and down on their luck. I did not take a bond, I furnished the house and put in all the kitchen wear and blankets

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'allsorts72' Why do doctors become doctors? So they can get free medical and rip every one else off, with their over the top bills, to pay for their ridiculously over priced houses. Trust me I put a stainless steel kitchen in a doctors house cost of kitchen $47000 in total house cost $ 2.7 mil, fuck I was stupid at school should have paid more attention and became a doctor. Guess the age of the doctor 35 my brother is a doctor, we are not rich he had to go through the airforcemy mate is the same and he gets to work long hours and has to keep reading and going to courses so he is up to date with everything new. They see people die and get sick and its depressing as hell at times. they study hard for 12 years and have to keep upgrading.they work for doctors without bordersthey help you when you ask for it, and I think they bloody well deserve to be paid well for their work. they heal they build they add to our society, when others take and get paid for that very well you get what you pay for in life. maybe we can all go to google and diagnose ourselves its cheap i can only admire Doctors,nurses and school teachers ,what admirable work they do and what bloody hard work they do.

  • Mischeviouslad

    Mischeviouslad

    11 years ago

    Sacrifice and endeavour is often rewarded Envy is rarely positive unless it motivates the envier to try harder

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'allsorts72' Why do doctors become doctors? So they can get free medical and rip every one else off, with their over the top bills, to pay for their ridiculously over priced houses. Trust me I put a stainless steel kitchen in a doctors house cost of kitchen $47000 in total house cost $ 2.7 mil, fuck I was stupid at school should have paid more attention and became a doctor. Guess the age of the doctor 35 Plastic surgeon perhaps? Certainly not one of the doctors I've had the pleasure of working with! What a gross generalisation Allsorts, really.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'LadyTuscan' I was at the X ray place, a poor woman in front if me a pensioner, they said your part is 350 bucks on the spot. If I hadn't been able to pay the 300.- for my last angiogram, I would have had the (as it turned out contraindicated) brain surgery that was scheduled for the week after. Totally off topic, I know. I really only come back here to perve on Neptune's wine bottle.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Most surprisingly it's Sav Blanc. First impressions it is a bottle of red, glad I'm paying attention.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    It's been cool exploring such a contentious topic, thanks. I had a whale of a time. Ooohhh, a word for the Word thread lol. . Sorry if I offended you Coriander.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    We are generally healthy people anyway so a visit to a doc is not exactly a daily affair here. If $7 is going to make a difference to your choice on looking after your health then there is something wrong. I bet two thirds of the people complaining about the coming $7 doc charge don't blink for a second at the $40 the dished out on cigarettes or a bottle of alcohol.... .... Seriously; sick of hearing people whinge about it.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    reading back makes it look like I having a go at all doctors My bad. I was just bitching about this particular doctor and his wife as they are total tools, rude, arrogant, and condescending. He had one builder walk out on him, I should have done the same but I needed the work. I should add most doctors are good in particular the one that looked after my Old man. The doctor went above and beyond to help him. to get full medical coverage from the government due to effects from agent orange Dad was a Vietnam vet.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    With the AMA it is nearly a protected cartel operation (it is similar with dentists - my Dad is an orthodontist and happily agrees about the ADA, it's an arrangement that's worked out well for him) The "they studied hard" or "they contribute to society" so should get paid handsomely could be applied to many jobs be they high paid or low paid menial tasks - but nonetheless essential.

  • Mischeviouslad

    Mischeviouslad

    11 years ago

    The guy and his wife are arseholes in spite if being doctors, not because if it. Plenty if arseholes have money.... I really can't see the point you were trying to make about doctors though. So.... They have a very expensive kitchen?!

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    YES $7 A HIT WILL HURT ME LIKE HELL. It will make a massive difference to many. Yep, that is me, one of the 'many' that isn't on a methadone programme, one that paid a squillion in tax, one that isn't playing beer & skittles with tax payers money. I'm a Mum who pays the mortgage, the bills, never defaulting on a single debt. I didn't ask to be a single parenting payment receiver. I sincerely apologise for having kids I can't afford. Didn't realise it at the time, I was apparently paying tax on a big wicket - didn't know that I may need to fall back on a soft place one day Grateful for the pillow but you can keep your shitty attitude..... Those that are really shocked by the inconvenience of $7 and cannot understand how that is even a tangible worry, contact me. I wont flagellate you by the soles of your feet, I will just show you truth..... nicely, politely, kindly, honestly, truthfully,..... brutally.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'Madmanx' We are generally healthy people anyway so a visit to a doc is not exactly a daily affair here. If $7 is going to make a difference to your choice on looking after your health then there is something wrong. I bet two thirds of the people complaining about the coming $7 doc charge don't blink for a second at the $40 the dished out on cigarettes or a bottle of alcohol.... .... Seriously; sick of hearing people whinge about it. Seriously, sick of hearing ignorant sweeping statements. I'm serious, give me 24 hours. I'll show you all them thar bludgers... lets start with Maitland Park tonight, where all the women fleeing DV hang for good times. It's got better internet support than Dogging at One Mile....

  • madotara69

    madotara69

    11 years ago

    We are having a bit of a treat tonight, would you like a cup of hot cocoa

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'LadyTuscan' Its always amazing how many people insure their car but not their health. How many people are clogging up the hospital emergency because its freeMy brother and a best mate are doctors and they sometimes work in after hour clinic and people on health care cards turn up there with cold or minor things when all the needed was rest makes me smile when people whine and the smoke, they drink to much they have unhealthy life stylethey can afford mac donnalds and fast foodyet not pay for their own health? the system is crashing, the country has been lucky but just go overseas, and see no welfare and no free ride. the country cannot afford to pay anymore its simple maths as for the unemployed youth don't get me started on that one, as I worked for Centrelink and the job networks and some you could not give them a job, they often come from families where grandparents and parents never worked that being said the migrant visa makes my town a regional area, so we have guys from overseas with a phd pushing shopping trollies to get their permanent residency. All those kind of jobs could go to those that have not had the education or the inclination to study or even the ability to do more skilled jobs. but nahhh mum and dad want there little darlings to start at the top and work their way down. I have a list at home of the amazing excuses that people would give me as to why they walked away from a job, or why they cant take a job. I would breach them and make them go without payment for 13 weeks, but mum and dad would then just support them till they went back on the dole. its a harsh wake up call, its no longer the land of milk and honey and the hand out. you either pay now or pay later, that's the reality of it all. and for std checks, the people that care about themselves will get regular checks the people that don't, will not go anyway. LadyT falling of her soap box and breaking a hip and looking for 7 bucks, shit my doc charges seventy bucks for short visit and 105 for a long visit. No bulk billing bwwwwwwwwa Health care should be free no matter what you do or who you are. And we're only 29% of our GDP in debt. Maybe the federal govt shouldn't have budgeted $882 million to News Corp. It was the single biggest factor in this budget.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    "I would call Tony a cunt, but he doesn't have the warmth or depth."

  • Mischeviouslad

    Mischeviouslad

    11 years ago

    And yet..... when someone held a sign directed at Gillard saying "ditch the witch" it was sexist and mysoginist and a symbol of the end of civilisation as we know it! A real hypocritical double standard has crept into politics in the last 5 years.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'Mischeviouslad' And yet..... when someone held a sign directed at Gillard saying "ditch the witch" it was sexist and mysoginist and a symbol of the end of civilisation as we know it! A real hypocritical double standard has crept into politics in the last 5 years. Can you say that with a straight face? Yes, I get the irony, do you?

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    insert creepy leer

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    I'm about to quote a meme "Not every man has terrorised a woman" "But every woman has been terrorised by a man"

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Are you trolling, or do you really not see the difference?

  • Mischeviouslad

    Mischeviouslad

    11 years ago

    You can't take a position arguing moral high ground if you're throwing handfuls if mud

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    I spend far more on petrol then I would on tests. It will just have to be one of the cost I budget for if I am wanting to play. A note to all those people not having to go back for a second visit to get results - for HIV tests by Australian law, Doctors can only give results out in a consultation regardless of if it is positive or negative. For those people not having to go back to get results, you may want to check that you are being fully tested.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    I really don't see much of an issue. My doctor doesn't bulk bill so it's approx $70 per visit and then you get the rebate which leaves me out of pocket by about $34 each time. Doesn't really bother me though as my doctor is very good. I don't see a problem with paying a small amount to get tested.

  • Splicey

    Splicey

    11 years ago

    We pay $65 per visit. We don't even get half of that back from Medicare.

  • Splicey

    Splicey

    11 years ago

    I wish we only paid $7

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    You won't be missing out. The $7 copayment is for bulk billing, people like yourself will be paying an extra $5 per visit. :-)

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'Coriander' Are those of you that enjoy a decent income still get bulk billed? As far as I knew, unless you had a pensioner card you still had to contribute on top of the lofty taxes you pay? I assumed bulk billing was only for pension card holders, or if you visit a superclinic? Would love clarification on this. Nope. I still get bulk billed. Depends on where you go I think.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'Mischeviouslad' I wonder.... what would be said at me if I said what LadyT just did But then.... I'm totally "privileged" right... lol You do make it sound this way from the comments you have made. Seems you have no empathy at all for people who are genuinely struggling which is surprising as I know you are a smart man. Have a think about it DG.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Sometimes my Doctor will write " please bulk bill" on my test referals for x-rays and other tests.....

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Although that hasn't happened in quite a long time.

  • Mischeviouslad

    Mischeviouslad

    11 years ago

    Quoting 'Meeka100' Quoting 'Mischeviouslad' I wonder.... what would be said at me if I said what LadyT just did But then.... I'm totally "privileged" right... lol You do make it sound this way from the comments you have made. Seems you have no empathy at all for people who are genuinely struggling which is surprising as I know you are a smart man. Have a think about it DG. So..... what makes you "assume" I am not now... or have ever been in that same position of struggle?! You seek to diminish my opinion simply because you assume... Im doing Ok. DG

  • Mischeviouslad

    Mischeviouslad

    11 years ago

    I forgive you.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    It is true, I have assumed that you are doing okay but I have come to this conclusion based on the little snippets you give away on this forum. 1. You live in Mosman which has the highest salary per person in Australia. 2. You have a boat Also I am not diminishing your opinion. I am informing you that, from the way you have worded your responses in this thread, it APPEARS that you don't have any empathy. Not saying you don't have any. Capisce? Having a smart brain is certainly a privilege. No?

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    And I admit to diminishing your opinion as well. Being ignored does that. I understand your lack of empathy for welfare recipients. You were saying....... You lived in struggletown too? So why don't you get my arguments? Meeka is so right saying you lack the appearance of empathy, sure, you can be empathetic, but you chose to be negative instead.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    11 years ago

    Not one of the homeless people who passed us as we handing out pamphlets and holding signs out the front of the Royal Commision sitting in Perth recently had anything but supportive comments to make as they passed us by. I still don't understand your attitude myself DG. :-) You seem to have an attitude, but nothing to support it? :-)

  • RHP

    RHP User

    10 years ago

    In a new case of the government kicking us when we are down, it has been revealed overnight that the $7 GP co-payment scheme will have much more expense repercussions for cancer and chronic disease sufferers.. If you have a strong need for medical services, from 1 July 2015, you can expect to advance pay…a lot.So why weren’t these crucial impacts of the GP co-payment scheme spoken about earlier? It seems like quite a big oversight to miss, particularly when those with liver cancer will need to pay over $1200 upfront for scans, consultations and pathology, and an additional $1000 if the cancer has spread elsewhere. Sure, there’s a rebate, but cancer sufferers could become up to an extra $678 out of pocket each year…a price that many of us cannot afford.. The bulk-billing incentive (part of the GP co-payment package) has been reduced significantly, so if you have previously been bulk-billed or rebated for x-rays, MRI, PET scans and ultrasounds, you will lose 10 per cent more of what you pay upfront.. Bill Shorten has already become outspoken about the fees and said that “The full extent of the pain from Tony Abbott’s GP tax goes way beyond the doctor’s surgery, with experts revealing cancer patients will now be forced to fork out thousands of dollars upfront to pay for MRI, X-rays, CAT scans and mammograms”..It’s not a maybe or might situation: this new scheme will force cancer patients to pay money they don’t have upfront, even if they hold a healthcare or pensioner concession card..Bill also said, “According to the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association, patients will be forced to pay $90 upfront for every X-ray, $380 for every CAT scan, up to $160 for every mammogram and $190 for every ultrasound. For those unfortunate enough to need a PET scan, the upfront cost could be as high as $1000″. Will this mean some will simply go without that crucial visit because they can’t afford it? Will it deter those going in for a check-up or routine scan even if they don’t have cancer?.With this new exposure on not only a simple visit to the doctor, but on diagnostic imaging, it is worrying to think of what else the government may not have told us about in their plans to scrape back some money.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    10 years ago

    Quoting MrsP "Bill also said, “According to the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association, patients will be forced to pay $90 upfront for every X-ray, $380 for every CAT scan, up to $160 for every mammogram and $190 for every ultrasound. For those unfortunate enough to need a PET scan, the upfront cost could be as high as $1000″. Will this mean some will simply go without that crucial visit because they can’t afford it? Will it deter those going in for a check-up or routine scan even if they don’t have cancer?" Pay $90 for an x-ray up front. Huh? Where is that because I want to go. I had a cyst on my ovaries last year and the whole thing cost me almost $800 and that was after the rebates. I was paying few hundred dollars upfront for an xray. And I am sure more for mammograms and ultrasounds but it was similiar if not more than what is quoted above. So for me, that remark makes no sense. That is how it already is.

  • RHP

    RHP User

    10 years ago

    They have also taken away the tax rebate on medical expenses that you were able to claim on your tax, as small as that was. Well, you can only make a claim if you made a claim last year. I didn't know that until after I had spent hours getting all my receipts together and adding it all up. Bollocks!

  • RHP

    RHP User

    10 years ago

    It's tax, and will go straight to the government coffers. . Those costs will make a huge difference to low income earners. There isn't a cap. . .Sucks that you can't claim those medical expebnses anymore. :-S

  • RHP

    RHP User

    10 years ago

    won't be forced to pay upfront. You can't get money from people who don't have it, reality is people will go untreated and the death rates from treatable conditions will soar.The question is how many people will die before the next election and this cruel, ignorant draconian government is removed.

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