30 October 2009 Health Insurance Amendment update
As reported in last week’s Fridayfacts, under the proposed Health Insurance Amendment (New Zealand Overseas Trained Doctors Bill 2009), New Zealand permanent resident and citizen doctors who have obtained their primary medical education either at an accredited medical school in Australia or New Zealand will be removed from the classification of ‘overseas trained doctor’ and ‘former overseas medical student’. Another provision is the removal of the requirement for overseas trained doctors to have either Australian permanent residency or citizenship and medical registration in order for the 10 year moratorium period to commence.
Following the anticipated passage through the Senate, the Bill will come into effect on 1 April 2010 or on Royal Assent, whichever is the later. The timing provides a sufficient interval for affected medical practitioners to be notified of the changes and for Medicare Australia to implement the necessary changes. Visit www.racgp.org.au/ff/10 for details. I would like to thank my local member, Ms Janelle Saffin MP, Member for Page, for her strong advocacy in this matter.
M5 Project - RACGP men's health initiative helping men to help themselves
M5 encourages men and those who care about them to recognise the importance of men forming an ongoing relationship with a GP.
