Media Release
AMA gets it wrong
24 January 2007
The Minister for Human Services, The Hon. Joe Hockey MP, has dismissed claims that the new health and social services card will cut people’s access to benefits including Medicare.
“If you have a Medicare card now and are entitled to receive that service, you will still have your own card,” Minister Hockey said.
“What we are doing, is giving people a better Medicare card. One that will make receiving services quicker, simpler and improve people’s privacy and protect their identity from being stolen.”
“The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is wrong to suggest that people under the age of 18 will not be able to receive their own card and it is a matter I want to clarify.”
“The introduction of the access card does not change anyone’s eligibility to receive Australian government health and social services and this includes people under the age of 18 who need their own access card.”
“A person under the age of 18 who currently holds a Medicare card will still be able to obtain an access card when it is introduced in 2008.”
“That is the intent of the proposed legislation and the Office of Access Card will continue to consult with the AMA to ensure that occurs.”
“Currently young people who are aged 15 and above who wish to have a separate Medicare card can have one. For example, a 17-year-old girl wishing to have an access card will be able to apply for one and not have to ask for her parents’ permission.”
“Authorised Medicare staff have the delegation to issue a Medicare card. This arrangement will stay exactly the same when the access card is introduced.”
“I welcome the 120 plus submissions from organisations and individuals on the exposure draft for the legislation for the access card. They are being considered as part of the extensive consultative process for this project,” Minister Hockey said.
Media Contact: James Chessell 0437 978 028