KEY POINTS:
The public is being misinformed by politicians about caps on doctors' fees, the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) says.
"There simply is no widespread cap on general practice fees," NZMA chairman Peter Foley said today.
His comments follow discussions by the National Party at their annual caucus retreat in Rotorua over what policies to focus on before the election.
Policies that could be scrapped include health spokesman Tony Ryall's announcement last year that the party would lift the cap on what GPs could charge their patients,
But Dr Foley said that while some practices had entered into voluntary arrangements in which they agreed to limit their patient co-payments in return for increased patient subsidies, most practices were free to set their own fee levels and adjust them at any time.
"Their fees are in no way 'capped'."
Dr Foley said general practices were mostly small businesses delivering a vital community-based health service, and they must remain viable to do so.
"This means that they must continue to be free to set and adjust their fees to meet their business needs," he said.
"This constant harping on about the 'cap' on GP fees is misleading the public and is most unhelpful to general practice."
- NZPA
