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Abbott drops plan for healthcare co-payment

Reversal comes after heavy criticism by opposition and many in healthcare sector

Wed, Dec 10, 2014 - 5:50 AM

Mr Abbott says the government will cut the rebate that it pays to doctors, encouraging them to charge adults a A$5 fee at their discretion while children, the elderly and those on state allowances would be exempt.

PHOTO: AFP

Sydney

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday abandoned a plan to radically reshape Australia's universal healthcare system by charging patients a fee to see their doctor, a major back flip for his struggling conservative government.

The A$7 (S$7.64) "co-payment" fee, which had been...

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