The Turnbull Government’s Budget is a massive insult to every Australian who relies on Medicare and proof the Government is still determined to make Australians pay more when it comes to health.
When it comes to health the Liberals haven’t learned a thing – the Turnbull Medicare freeze remains in place across the health system for years to come.
The failure to drop the freeze immediately will impact on many of Australia’s most vulnerable patients – such as those needing critical oncology treatment, obstetric services, and paediatric treatment.
Australians will have to wait more than 12 months for relief – and will be left waiting more than two years for the freeze on specialist procedures and allied health services to be lifted:
- GP consultations – freeze remains until July 2018
- Specialist consultations – freeze remains until July 2018
- Specialist procedures – freeze remains until July 2019
- Allied health services including psychologists – freeze remains until July 2019.
Every single Australian will continue to pay more for their health care as a result of this Budget.
The 804,000 Australians who delay seeing a GP because of cost – this Budget fails them.
The 600,000 Australians who need to see a specialist but delay because of cost – this Budget fails them.
A child who needs to see their specialist every month for a congenital heart condition – this Budget fails them.
A woman who has started radiation therapy to tackle cancer – this Budget fails her.
A man who has been diagnosed with type two diabetes and is working with a diabetes educator on his health – this Budget fails him.
No amount of smoke, mirrors and fake guarantees can hide Malcolm Turnbull’s broken health promise. He went to the election saying no one would pay more to see a GP – and he still hasn’t dropped his cuts.
If the Turnbull Government thinks this health budget is good news for Australian families, then they are more out-of-touch than we could have imagined.
Families will continue to have to pay more at the GP, more for critical specialist health care, and more for allied health services. This is proof that Malcolm Turnbull can never be trusted on health.
WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 2017