WHERE’S THE $2.2 BILLION MEDICARE MONEY?
While it is good news that Australians will be able to access additional subsidised health procedures, it does absolutely nothing to address Turnbull’s $2.2 billion cut to GPs, specialists and allied health services.
The independent Medical Services Advisory Committee has approved a number of new additions to the Medical Benefits Schedule – meaning Australians will be able to access new treatments and technologies under Medicare.
Try as they might, the Turnbull Government can’t take credit for the recommendations of an independent panel – especially when the decisions that are their responsibility have ripped billions out of the pockets of Australian patients.
Turnbull is yet to lift any part of his Medicare freeze – rebates for GPs, specialists and allied health services all remain frozen. The freeze won’t be fully lifted until 2020.
As a result, Turnbull is cutting $2.2 billion out of Medicare over the next four years – on top of the savings he has already banked.
Turnbull’s $2.2 billion Medicare cut is $2.2 billion out of the pockets of patients every time they visit a GP, every time they visit a specialist and every time they receive a Medicare allied health service.
Turnbull’s $2.2 billion Medicare cut is proof that he and his Liberals can’t be trusted with the health of Australians.