Govt rejects 'ludicrous' Medicare compo demands (ABC)

The Federal Government has dismissed call for immediate compensation to the states for the extra burden which is expected to flow from proposed changes to the Medicare surcharge. The legislation to lift the threshold for the Medicare surcharge levy is yet to be passed by the Senate. But Federal Opposition health spokesman Joe Hockey says today's meeting of federal and state health ministers must work out a compensation deal to prepare for the expected burden on public hospitals. "It has to happen today because the impact of the Medicare levy changes will be felt immediately by the states," he said. Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says that is ludicrous. "[He wants] immediate compensation for a measure that his party has blocked in the Senate," she said. She says today's meeting will focus on more than 40 new... [read full story]