When the appalling violence against women and children by their partners or ex-partners is raised on the media, the vacuous little RWNJs who feel affronted by the fact that it is almost universally men who commit these crimes, come out and say that it is ‘not all men’ who commit such crimes. While this is stating the bloody obvious, it seems to be designed to deflect blame from them as a group, so they can avoid taking this travesty seriously1.
Now there has been a story on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 7:30 program about the over-servicing and simple corruption by doctors, who it is considered have drained up to $8 billion from Medicare2. And what did the Australian Medical Association do? They circled the wagons and came up with the equivalent of the ‘not all men’ non-argument. They called the allegations an unjustified slur on the entire medical profession, stating that the vast majority of doctors do the right thing by their patients and by Medicare rules3.
The vast majority of doctors may do the right thing, but there is clearly a proportion of the medical profession who do not. The AMA would be better advised to call out the over-servicing and corruption, than to play the victim and scream ‘not all doctors’.
Sources
one might suggest, not all RWNJobbies…. but that’d be just plain wrong g !
Clive,
I think so. There is something missing in the minds of RWNJs, and it is not only a facility with English.
The strident yapping by the AMA president Professor Steve Robson (concerning a report on rorting he admitted he hadn’t read) is redolent of the bad old days where responses to almost every exposure/criticism of any group was met with vociferous and hyperbolic counter attacks. These responses were often supported by arguably corrupt, and certainly ignorant and self-interested politicians (unsurprisingly conservatives in most, but not all, cases) beholden to the interest groups being asked to address the claims – claims which were sometimes overstated, sometimes the tip of the iceberg. The leadup to the banking RC was just one more-recent example of the latter.
The power of the AMA in regards to investigations has actually been written into the legislation which controls the Medicare watchdog’s activities (see second link below). Whether this is a good or necessary thing is arguable. Whether it actually acts as a buffer for thieves/embezzlers of the public purse (which is what these “rorters” actually are in many cases) is probably unlikely but needs open investigation.
It’s both obvious and a massive understatement but the record of public regulators in this country – ASIC, AEMO – since improved, building and gambling regulators, “cosmetic” surgery regulators etc – leaves much to be desired. The PSR (Professional Services Review) which controls Medicare appears prima facie to be yet another case of complacency, laxity and lack of adequate resourcing and oversight.
Thank heavens for 9 (The SMH, The Age) and The ABC and the REAL reporters who continually put their arses on the line.
21 articles on the topic here:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/medicare-rorts-20221018-p5bqpp.html
PSR article:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/medicare-watchdog-investigates-just-0-07-per-cent-of-medicos-each-year-20221024-p5bsfl.html?collection=p5bqpp
PS: just came across this the other day. Worth a revisit:
https://www.brooklynstreetart.com/2020/01/11/australian-street-art-burns-pm-scott-morrison-coal-in-light-of-popular-disgust/
Jon,
Thanks heavens, indeed.
Spot on. The medical profession is much like the clergy used to be and still is in some places. People who are given respect and status by many in the community because of their position rather than for what they actually do. Yes we can all think accountants can fiddle books, clerks can steal, tradies can rip us off, but my goodness a doctor doing something wrong, no way. They are just so bloody holier than thou.
Mark,
I remember when the doctor did a house call at our place (they did those in days gone by), there would be a scurryfunge to clean up the place before the doctor arrived. I do admit that almost all the doctors I have seen over the years have been of the best kind; mostly concerned with doing the best for their patients. However, as in most walks of life, I have no doubt some of their colleagues are bent.
The lack of urgency, and inaction, by the AHPRA board on cosmetic cowboys (another recent 9/ABC exposure) who have been operating with impunity for years is almost as scandalous as the actions of the so called health professionals themselves.
Of course, the AMA should have called this out a long time ago. It was something that was festering and needed to be addressed by those in charge. How can we, the people believe anything if we are not shown leadership? Isn’t that what we all want?
Marilyn,
It seems to be almost de rigueur these days. If someone complains about your or your members’ behaviour, you circle the wagons and ignore the criticism.
And, right on cue:
” ‘ASIC must get better’: Watchdog to face two-year Senate inquiry into its handling of complaints”
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/corporate-watchdog-to-be-grilled-over-its-handling-of-complaints-20221027-p5bte7.html
Labor’s Stephen Jones is completely out of touch with reality and the expectations of the community. Thank heavens for the minority Senate crossbench. If only the Reps were the same we might actually see real progress in cleaning up this lost continent.