Health Minister Nicola Roxon has defended her $436 million sweetener for diabetic care from claims it would be open to rorting by doctors, who could earn $10,000 bonuses under the scheme.
In a bid to secure support for its hospital funding takeover, the government on Wednesday announced it would pay GPs to assume responsibility for diabetic care, and also offer incentive payments.
Ms Roxon said on Thursday she didn't think doctors would abuse the system, to begin in mid-2012.
"There is no incentive, I don't think, for a doctor to pocket the money and not provide the care to the patient," she told ABC Television.
"Because then the patient's results won't be as stable as they could be."
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AMA slams plan
The Australian Medical Association immediately hit out at the plan, saying there had been a lack of consultation.
But Ms Roxon said the chair of its GP division had been part of the review process, and she was confident the plan would get their support once the details had been worked through.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has said the coalition will not necessarily block the government's health reforms.
But opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton said the diabetes plan was different, as it did not come with the backing of clinicians.
It's designed for Premiers: Opposition
"This aspect of it is clearly not designed for patients, it's designed for premiers, and we're critical of that," he told ABC Television.
"The measure for us is whether or not it's going to deliver better patient outcomes."
The Rural Doctors Association joined the chorus of concern about the diabetes plan.
CEO Steve Sant said he supported patients enrolling with a doctor for regular monitoring of their diabetes.
But he said if they had to pay up-front, it may be a disincentive to visiting the doctor regularly, and called for the government to use a blended funding model under Medicare.
"Clearly the government does not understand the economic and clinical elements of general practice, not to mention rural general practice," he said in a statement.
"This proposal needs significant modification if we are to improve the care of patients with diabetes and reduce hospital admissions."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd faced more questioning on Thursday over his hospital reform plans, this time from NSW, which has previously shown support for the changes.
Premier Kristina Keneally said she would be seeking an equitable share of funding and responsibility for her state.
