‘Some doctors are milking the system, but few in number’: Dr Mike Freelander tasked with fixing specialist fee crisis
The inquiry has been given a broad scope to canvass potentially big Medicare reforms.
“People like doctors. They just don’t like doctors driving Lamborghinis.”
These words from paediatrician-turned-MP Dr Mike Freelander sum up why the gap between specialist fees and what patients can afford is politically treacherous.
The Federal Government is presenting it as a crisis, albeit not of its making. It has tasked the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability to identify fixes.
Chaired by Dr Freelander, the committee members also include two medically trained independent MPs — Dr Monique Ryan and Dr Sophie Scamps.
