The Federal Government is being urged to ration Medicare provider numbers allowing surgeons, cardiologists and other non-GP specialists to work in cities.

The idea is being pushed by a former AMA Victoria president, who says the lack of specialists in rural and regional areas is one big reason why so few younger GPs are keen to work in the bush.

“I brought this idea of geographic providers numbers for specialists at an AMA conference 10 years ago, and there was dead silence, but afterwards, a few doctors came to me and said it was a good idea,” Associate Professor Mark Yates, a rural geriatrician, told Australian Doctor.

“AMA 101 is that the government doesn’t pay doctors; it provides a Medicare rebate to patients to access medical care,” said Professor Yates, who works in Ballarat.