BY GRAHAM MATTHEWS
MELBOURNE — The federal Coalition government's "Fairer Medicare" proposal has sparked considerable community outrage. In the North-East of Melbourne, the Darebin Defend and Extend Medicare group is campaigning against the changes and for an extension of Medicare services. Green Left Weekly spoke to DDEM president Gary Harper about the campaign.
"[Medicare is] going to be [saved] by building a campaign nationally and disseminating information to people so they can evaluate the situation and make up their own minds", Harper said. "It's going to take putting pressure on the Coalition government to change its mind; having rallies, petitions — there's a multitude of campaigns starting-up."
The DDEM attracts more than 20 local people to its regular fortnightly planning meetings. In addition it organises information stalls every weekend and is playing a key role in organising a citywide demonstration in defence of Medicare on September 5.
As a local campaign group it has been very successful. "We've got wide-ranging support, from our council, from our federal member of parliament Martin Ferguson, from the East Preston Community Health Centre", Harper said. "And Darebin has traditionally been an area where people have been very active on these kinds of issues. So I think all of those combined have contributed to ensure that we have good turn-outs to our meetings."
The Darebin group has also had some discussions on how Medicare should be extended to cover more of the basic medical services that communities require. "The consensus [of the group] is that it should include dental — very important to the people of Darebin — podiatry and other related extended services", Harper outlined.
The group has also come out in absolute opposition to the more than $3.2 billion that the federal government diverts into the private system annually through the health funds rebate. "Imagine what $3.2 billion a year could do to help the hospital system", Harper lamented.
As a union activist, Harper also believes there is an active role for the trade union movement to play in winning the campaign. "It's important that the union movement take up this issue and disseminate information out to its members; call local workplace meetings to discuss the issue, and through their peak bodies such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions, they start putting pressure on the coalition government."
Politically, Harper felt that the ALP made a late entry to the Medicare campaign. "The ALP was a bit slow to start with the campaign, but they've taken up the issues. They're a bit slow on the uptake with some of the issues — for instance with the rebate to the doctors, they've only offered [to increase the Medicare rebate to doctors who bulk-bill patients] a couple of dollars, I think it is. From what I hear the doctors are saying it should be around $10."
However, Harper welcomes the support. "[Labor is] not really talking about extending Medicare either", Harper continued. "Its mainly concentrating on defending Medicare. They have taken a good stand as far as I'm concerned, but it could be better."
Activists wanting to get involved in the Darebin Defend and Extend Medicare group, can visit the groups web site at <http://users.tpg.com.au/adsl136b9> or call Gary on 0415 103 375.
From Green Left Weekly, September 3, 2003.
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