Fed: AMA attacks move to benchmark private hospitals

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2008
Fed: AMA attacks move to benchmark private hospitals

The leading doctors' group says a federal government move to benchmark private hospitals
will harm health insurance holders.

Federal Health Minister NICOLA ROXON says performance indicators for public hospitals
need to be extended to private facilities .. a measure private health insurers have long
campaigned for.

Ms ROXON says the indicators will allow purchasers of health services to legitimately
distinguish between effective providers of health care and less effective providers.

But Australian Medical Association president ROSANNA CAPOLINGUA says what it would
actually do is allow private health insurers to make the choices for their customers ..

by telling patients which hospital they can attend.

She says it will also lead to longer waiting times for surgery.

AAP RTV pw/jlw/sw/crh

KEYWORD: PRIVATE (CANBERRA)

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