The Abbott Government must come clean with Tasmanians about its plans to cut funding from hospitals and introduce a GP tax, a hospital tax and make medicines more expensive.
“Tony Abbott’s broken promises on health cuts will cost Tasmanians $228 million over the next four years,” Shadow Minister for Health Catherine King said.
“Tony Abbott promised no cuts to health, but a GP Tax will see Tasmanians pay an extra $151 million to visit the doctor over the next four years.”
Funding for Tasmanian Hospital Services has already been cut by $27.6 million in MYEFO. Tony Abbott’s planned new taxes will cost Tasmanians more than $40 million over the next four years.
The Abbott Government’s priorities are completely twisted.
They have already cut $560 million from public hospitals across Australia.
Now they are proposing the end of universal healthcare as we know it, creating a user pays system.
“Prior to the last election Tony Abbott promised no cuts to health, now he looks intent on breaking this promise and shifting costs onto vulnerable Australian patients,” said Shadow Minister for Health Catherine King.
“Tony Abbott is intent on creating a health system based on those who can afford to pay, not on the needs of patients and families.”
“Premier Will Hogdmen should stand up for the people of Tasmania and say no to health cuts, no to a GP tax, no to a hospital tax and no to more expensive medicines”, said Rebecca White.
Labor believes that all Australians should get the healthcare they need, not just the healthcare they can afford.
Australians shouldn’t have to foot the bill for Tony Abbott’s broken promises and twisted priorities.