Malcolm Turnbull’s claim to have learnt his lesson on health at the election has been destroyed by today’s MYEFO which doesn’t reverse a single one of his savage health cuts.
Millions of Australians voted against the Government’s plans to rip funding out of health and slug Australians for essential health care. Today’s MYEFO was a clear opportunity for the Government to show they had listened.
Instead, Malcolm Turnbull has once again proven that health simply isn’t a priority, opting to keep his big business tax cut and force every Australian to pay more for their health through:
- A six- year freeze on Medicare rebates which is already driving down bulk billing
- Axing bulk-billing incentives for diagnostic imaging and pathology
- Increases to PBS co-payments for general patients, concession patients and those with chronic illnesses
- Ripping millions from Medicare Safety Nets, driving up out of pocket costs before additional support is received.
MYEFO also confirms that despite their desperate spin last week, the Turnbull Government is ripping hundreds of millions more funding out of basic dental services for children and the disadvantaged.
The Government also needs to explain their decision to cut $20 million from the Radiation Oncology Health Program Grants Scheme, which provides funding for major radiation oncology equipment, to make sure as many communities as possible have equipment which is up-to-date and effective.
Cutting this Grant program stands in stark contrast with the Turnbull Government’s election campaign decision to fund MRI machines in the marginal seats of Deakin and Dunkley – a decision that was taken without any process or opportunity for other communities to request consideration MRI licences.
Today’s update shows that Malcolm Turnbull simply doesn’t get the impact of his health cuts on Australian families – and he doesn’t care.
While Malcolm Turnbull continues his head-in-the-sand approach to health policy, Australians will continue to pay the price.
MONDAY, 19 DECEMBER 2016