The Turnbull Government is in complete and utter chaos on health, with reports the Government is set to dump their election promise to unfreeze rebates for diagnostic imaging.
During the election the Turnbull Government put in place a rushed deal to unfreeze rebates for diagnostic imaging in compensation for ripping hundreds of millions out of bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging.
Today’s reports confirm that this deal was nothing more than a cynical ploy from the Government to buy silence, and they never intended to deliver on the commitment.
Shadow Minister for Health and Medicare Catherine King said this is clear proof the Turnbull Government can’t be trusted to deliver on health.
“During the heat of the election campaign the Turnbull Government did a deal with the diagnostic imaging industry – knowing they could never honour it – and once again it is patients who will pay the price,” Ms King said.
“At the same time as dumping this deal, they are still cutting bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging, with the cuts due to take effect from July 1.”
“The fact is that nothing can be done to reverse the years of damage that have been inflicted under this Government – and this will have an ongoing impact on families. Out of pocket costs have never been higher, bulk billing rates have dropped and Australians are waiting longer for surgery.
“Australians who will continue to pay more to see a doctor, more for vital scans and x-rays, and who will and wait longer in emergency rooms are proof that this Government can never be trusted to put health first.”
WEDNESDAY, 12 APRIL 2017