I’ve committed a terrible crime. I don’t agree with a government policy.

My name is Mark Rogers but you might know me as “Grandpa Mark”. I’m a retired computer software programmer and I’m being threatened with legal action by the Australian government.

Over the past few years, I’ve felt more and more worried about what the government is doing to our health system. Cuts to pathology and diagnostic imaging that affect the most vulnerable. The freeze on the Medicare rebatepushing up costs for GPs and other health professionals, and reducing bulk billing as costs rise. Not to mention the billions of dollars have been cut from grants to hospitals.

Then there’s the myths being propagated by our politicians – that Medicare is unsustainable, that Australia’s public health system is bloated and inefficient, and that charging people more to see their primary health professionals will save Australia money. These myths and political spin sway the outcome of elections while the future direction of healthcare is not properly discussed or the options fully understood.

And finally, there are the areas of healthcare that should receive more public attention. Like, why does our government underwrite health insurer’s profits through the private health rebate? And why is our government pursuing international treaties that would lead to higher prices for medicines and allow foreign investors to sue the Australian government in secret tribunals if the government enacts new public health laws?

I see a stronger Medicare building a better future for Australians. That’s why I decided to build my “Save Medicare” website back in December 2014, after attending a meeting of people worried about the future of Australia’s healthcare. I wanted my website to bring together important facts and detailed analysis in one place. I wanted to prompt a proper discussion on the direction of healthcare in this country and give people links to further action. I wanted to exposed the hidden war being waged on our Medicare, that is slowly corroding universality and access.

Australia spends 9.5% of its GDP on healthcare. The Unites States of America spends 17.7% of its GDP on health care with poorer outcomes and not all the population are covered. The USA relies heavily on the private market for health care.

Most OECD countries have adopted publicly funded universal health care because they believe it is the most efficient means of delivering high quality health care for the whole population. Furthermore, Medicare is a driver for future Australian prosperity. A free universal health system like Medicare reduces inequality and that benefit boosts national growth. Despite this, the current Australian government (and other Australian decision makers) are pursuing strategies to adopt a more privatised system.

read more:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/30/im-being-sued-by-t...