Michael Johnson MP
Federal Member for Ryan
31 Station Road
(PO Box 704)
Indooroopilly QLD 4068
Ph 07 3720 2599
Fax 07 3720 0277
email
BRISBANE QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA
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Make Your Point! —
I am committed to ensuring a better deal for our local community. Your input really does make a difference. Knowing your views, I can take up these issues when I am in Canberra.
Please Email me your Point of View...
My Point of View!
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Visit Michael's Website
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Recent
Biography—
After graduating from the University of Queensland at St Lucia, Michael Johnson then qualified as a Barrister and ran his own small business. He also worked as a University Lecturer before being elected the Member for Ryan at the November 10 Federal Election.
Michael has lived in the area for more than 20 years. He has been an active patron of community business groups and local charity groups such as Zoe's Place.
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| Ryan Recognition Awards
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Michael has established these awards for Residents who have made an outstanding contribution in our local community.
If you know of anyone you feel deserves to be so recognised, please contact the electorate office to fill out a nomination form.
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Michael represents over 75,000 local residents who live in the Federal seat of Ryan.
The electorate covers a huge area of over 238 square kilometres extending from Moggill east to St Lucia and north-west to Brisbane Forest Park.
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Michael Johnson MP
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From a local who listens...
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"...our local area has always been special to me.
It's important that I continue to work hard and represent the needs of Ryan residents, in order to ensure practical benefits are delivered for our local community.
Clearly, my job is not only to speak out in Canberra but to do what I can here at home."
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... A word from Michael
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—
18 November 2003 Archive
MedicarePlus: Protecting and strengthening Medicare
The Australian Government has provided a massive $2.4 billion funding boost in its new MedicarePlus package to strengthen Medicare now and for future generations.
MedicarePlus provides more opportunities for Australians to be bulk billed and more convenience for patients to claim their rebate without having to line up in a Medicare office. It introduces a comprehensive Government-funded Safety Net to cover all Australians against high out-of-pocket medical costs outside the hospital system. MedicarePlus also increases the supply of doctors and nurses and provides more doctors for people in aged care.
Federal Member for Ryan, Michael Johnson said this huge funding increase shows the Australian Government is committed to protecting and strengthening Medicare.
“This new package shows the Government has consulted widely with the community and health professionals. The Government has listened to their concerns and produced a plan that protects and strengthens Medicare.
“It provides a safety net for all Australians, protecting people against large out-of-pocket medical expenses. It also significantly increases the numbers of doctors and nurses in the system, particularly in the areas that need them most,” Mr Johnson said.
MedicarePlus retains some of the measures announced earlier this year in A Fairer Medicare but adds significant new initiatives, most of which will be in place from early 2004.
Between now and 2006-07, MedicarePlus will provide:
1. More opportunities to be bulk billed. The Government will pay GPs an additional $5 for every bulk billed medical service provided to Commonwealth Concession Card holders and to children aged under 16. These payments will be made automatically to the practice, with no other conditions attached.
2. More convenience for claiming the Medicare rebate. There will be more convenient claiming arrangements for patients who are not bulk billed by accelerating the roll-out of HIC Online technology to doctors' surgeries. Patients who are not bulk billed can choose to have their Medicare claim lodged electronically at the doctors’ surgery and their rebate paid directly to their bank account within a few days – eliminating the need to line up at a Medicare office.
3. More peace of mind about major out-of-pocket medical expenses. The new MedicarePlus Safety Net will protect all Australians from high out-of-pocket medical costs incurred outside hospital. These may arise, for example, as a result of an accident, serious illness or chronic condition.
- For concession card holders and families receiving Family Tax Benefit (A), the Government will cover 80% of the out-of-pocket costs for medical services provided outside hospital above $500 per individual or family per year. This new entitlement will cover 12 million Australians, including around four out of five Australian families.
- For all other Australians, the Government will cover 80% of their out-of-pocket medical costs provided out of hospital above $1000 per individual or family per year. This will cover a further 8 million people.
4. More doctors and practice nurses. 1,500 more doctors – more than 1,300 new doctors will be practising and, as a result of additional practice nurses working in general practices, GP time will be freed up so doctors can focus on the medical issues that are most appropriate for their attention.
The Australian Government will strengthen the medical workforce by training more doctors and encouraging doctors, including overseas trained doctors and supervised junior doctors, to work in areas of shortage. The Government will help to retrain doctors who want to return to work after a break, assist doctors to provide more services to residents in aged care facilities and help GPs who are providing essential medical services in country areas.
The Government will support more than 1,600 practice nurses, through grants to practices and new rebates for nurses to carry out medical services such as immunisations and wound management.
5. More doctors for aged care. A new Medicare item will cover comprehensive medical checks for aged care home residents. GPs will be funded to provide services to residents of aged care homes who do not have, or cannot access, their regular doctor, including in an emergency or after hours.
Under MedicarePlus, doctors will still be free to bulk bill anyone they choose and to set fee levels at their own discretion. No government, since the introduction of Medicare 20 years ago, has sought to compel doctors to bulk bill.
“This Government believes in Medicare and has shown it is prepared to invest in a stronger Medicare system. I look forward to discussing the details of MedicarePlus with my constituents,” Mr Johnson said.
More information on MedicarePlus can be found at Govt Health Website or by calling the hotline 1800 011 163.
For more information, please contact Michael on (07) 3720 2599
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