Fed: Bulk-billing rates slip again - figures
Bulk-billing rates by doctors have slipped to their lowest level for more than a decade.
New figures for the December quarter show that total bulk-billed visits to a GP havecontinued to decline, slipping below 70 per cent.
Bulk-billing rates peaked at 80.6 per cent in 1996/97, the year the HOWARD governmentcame to office.
Earlier this week Health Minister KAY PATTERSON promised she had a plan to ensure equitableand affordable access to doctors, but hasn't revealed any details.
Across the nation, the average out-of-pocket cost of visiting a GP has continued torise, climbing to $12.78, from $12.57 in the September quarter.
AAP RTV so/sb/gjr/sco
KEYWORD: BULKBILL (CANBERRA)
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