Brad Hazzard (the state’s health minister) confirmed that the government was considering forcing those who have not had the jab to cover their medical bills if they needed hospital treatment for Covid.
Hazzard stated that “This option is under consideration by NSW Government” in a statement Wednesday evening, after it was first reported on Sydney radio station 2GB.
The minister of health did not give any additional details on how this plan would work, and did not respond further to questions.
This idea is a radical departure form Australia’s universal healthcare system and has drawn fierce criticism.
Omar Korshid (President of the Australian Medical Association) called the proposal “unethical”.
Guardian Australia was informed by him that the medical issue is that it is not ethical or right to restrict access to healthcare because of people’s past health choices.
“If you use the same logic, will you ask smokers for healthcare coverage?”
“It would be a shame if we lose compassion, our humanity, our concern for other Australians through this pandemic, even if we make unwise, incorrect, or completely antisocial choices.
Korshid stated that he wasn’t sure if such a proposal was legal or if it would breach the National Health Reform Agreement between the states, commonwealth and commonwealth through which public hospital funding flows.
He stated, “Any change to this would be a very significant change to our public hospitals.”
He also wondered how the law could be enforced, given that the cost of Covid-19 admission to an ICU was “astronomical” as well as the fact that the average Australian wouldn’t have the means to pay the bill.
The NSW government has a 93.4% rate of residents over 16 who are fully vaccinated. However, the majority of those in intensive care are not.
Over the last week, almost twice as many Covid patients have been admitted to NSW hospitals.
Wednesday saw 302 people with the virus in hospital, including 40 who were in the ICU and 12 who needed ventilation.
Former NSW Premier Bob Carr demanded that Australia follow the lead of Singapore after it announced in November that it would begin charging those who are not vaccinated “unvaccinated by preference” for their medical bills.
Scott Morrison stated at the time that it was a “heavy handed approach” that he didn’t support.
He told 7News Sunrise that a federal government does not have a mandatory vaccine policy.
“We live in a country that doesn’t go around demonizing those who choose their own decisions, I believe that’s very important.”
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