NEW DATA SHOWS AUSTRALIANS PAYING MORE FOR THEIR HEALTH UNDER TURNBULL
Official data showing Australians are paying up to an average $47 out of their own pocket to see a GP and up to an average $99 to see a specialist is proof there is a health affordability crisis under Turnbull’s Medicare freeze.
Malcolm Turnbull went to the last election promising no one would pay more to see a GP – but these figures show that Australians are paying more than ever.
In every electorate across the country, out of pocket costs to see GPs and specialists have increased. Average out of pocket costs across Australia have increased by $22 for to see a specialist and $7 to see a doctor in only four years.
Around 960,000 Australians skip or delay going to the GP because of cost – and 1.68 million will skip or delay going to the specialist because of cost.
This trend will only get worse with Turnbull 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.
Turnbull’s health crisis is stopping people across the country from getting the health care they need.
Making Medicare more expensive, cutting public hospitals and failing to stand up to the big profit health insurers – Turnbull can never be trusted on health.