The cost of living has Australians visiting the doctor less

[@noramaddy4409]

In Germany, the co-payment was trialled and found to increase costs with no benefit to the system, the practice or the patient. Thankfully, a family practice or specialist visit is completely covered for private and public patients. All hospital rooms are limited to two-person share or for a small fee a single room can be booked. Private patients do not pay a fee for a single room.

[@palikiridena2796]

when l visit the GP l don't sign anything for payment so can a GP practice bill under my name when l haven't visited?

[@xcviij7045]

My local GP is 100% free, I don't understand why some GPs cost money and others do not as this affects so much people. This should be completely covered by tax, especially considering I'm benefitting from free healthcare and others aren't!

[@thewordsmithsdaughter]

Why comments open for this and not other posts??

[@SBSNews]

Great question, by default our comment sections are closed however we are currently trialling comment engagement on select videos.

[@thewordsmithsdaughter]

@@SBSNews may I ask why? Is it due to legal based reasons? Because I honestly see Australians’ seeking their media elsewhere, where engagement is available and don’t feel they’re being censored. I personally find international news sources my go to and this has a little to do with it.

[@SBSNews]

@@thewordsmithsdaughter Thanks for the feedback. Legal risk is one of the factors which contributes to our decision to close comments. If you are interested in finding out more you can take a look at SBS's policies and guidelines here: www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/how-we-operate/policies-guidelines/. Feel free to contact us for more information at help.sbs.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/360002011516-How-do-I-contact-SBS