Abstract

Access to basic health care services is one of the fundamental rights enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. Imposition of fees for service restricts access to care, particularly for people on low incomes. In recent years there has been a slight national decline in bulk-billing by general practitioners that has been more pronounced in Tasmania. Evidence from Tasmania suggests significant numbers of general practitioners in some areas of the state are charging gap fees to Health Care and Pension Concession Cardholders. Local qualitative and quantitative data indicate that low-income earners are delaying or avoiding seeking health care because they are unable to afford the cost.