9 September

Medicare is under enormous pressure in Australia. Some of that is an ageing population. But a big chunk of it is price gouging by doctors and dentists. Fees being charged by many medical professionals are extortion, absolutely outrageous. And they hide behind an historical cosy agreement in the Constitution where they get to define their own fees, even though the public pays the bills. Doctors for example are the largest per capita property investors in Australia - they're swimming in spare money. Our eldest had her wisdom teeth out a couple of weeks ago. We have that procedure privately insured. The GAP payment was $2000, WITH insurance. Nobody in politics has the balls to take these arseholes on. Many members of the public are voting with their feet and either going without care, or are using AI or alternative medicine instead. Cost controls are desperately needed, as they have been in the NDIS. Lower-ranked members of the health profession are paid a pittance by comparison. More status games.