The #GrattanInstitute in #Australia has recently released a report recommending #Medicare be updated as it no longer serves patients or medical professionals. This probably surprises no-one, particularly people with #ChronicIllness and in my opinion is well overdue.

Something that I think needs a lot of thought however is the current situation where patients are still expected to pay for services that provide zero value or in some cases cause harm. Too often I have had absolutely useless appointments with #Doctors who are ill informed on my disease (#MyalgicEncephalomyelitis) and can provide no benefit or recommendation for my illness yet I am still expected to attend these appointments/referrals and pay for them.

The current system is stacked against patients struggling not only with chronic disease but also financially, adding further to their costs and providing no incentive for doctors to update their knowledge since they'll get paid anyway. Surely the system should do the opposite and encourage doctors to keep up to date and adopt and/or develop best practice if they expect to be reimbursed for their knowledge.

An #introduction
I'm a #climate and #energy #policywonk and that's mostly what I post about.

Currently at the #GrattanInstitute, formerly a public servant, even more formerly a #solar engineer and NFP comms person.

Originally from #NewEngland / #Anēwan country, now mostly in #Canberra / #Ngunnawal country.

Not sure I can cope with 1500 characters!