war on terror at the expense of health?

the federal government handed down the latest budget last night. More $$ (3 billion) had to come from somewhere to support Australia's commitment to the War on Terror and erm... "border protection". It is health and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in particular that is being cut to pay for increased spending in defence.



The PBS subsidises medication for all Australians but is in place to aid those of lower income. Naturally these cuts will also be passed on to heath services and hospitals.



The budget has coped much criticism as being a 'blokes budget' as the contraceptive pill will no longer fall under PBS. This amongst a recent survey that showed that most Australians do not understand why we are at war!



What does everyone else think?



While i understand that being the treasurer of an entire country can't be that easy, it seems that essential services always lose out.



I am not sure that this is justified with the health care system in crisis and there are critical shortages of specialists in rural areas. As well as the largest provider of professional indemnity going under recently meaning that some specialists (neurosurg, ob/gyn etc) are not indemnified to treat private patients.



pity there isnt an election for another 3 years....



Tegan

[DCJenn]

Tegan-



Well, that sounds about right. Right now here in the states there are members of Congress who are trying to keep a weapons system that no one wants- even the Defense Department and the Secretary of Defense don't want it- but the people who have the builders in their district are insisting that they keep it.



Meanwhile, we have millions of kids without health insurance and lots of people who are barely covered.



UGH-



Jenn

I share your concerns.....certainly defense is one important issue, but so is healthcare...in this country, like Jenn says, there are millions of uninsured/under-insured...and that doesn't raise a huge concern...many people here even believe that it is the fault of these people and not the role of govt. to take care of it's people in any way except perhaps things like defense...we are also bleeding more money into defense and in the meantime, healthcare and education aren't really being addressed.....there is a lot of retoric (ie...no child will be left behind but actual money and plans are yet to be seen.). When I talk to many of our american friends about healthcare, the attitudes tend to overwhelmingly land on the side of blaming the uninsured for not working hard enough, being educated enough or even for having a pre-existing condition. On another board there was a discussion on this topic and a med student actually told another med student who couldn't get adequate health coverage because of his pre-existing condition, that going to college is a luxury and that it was his job to put his healthcare first...he should quit school and work if he wanted to set his priorities straight....the ideas sure are diff. over here sometimes....



Kris
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