Labor is deeply concerned at reports the Child Dental Benefits Scheme is looming as the next victim of the Turnbull Government’s insatiable desire to cut health.
Labor’s $2.7 billion dental program has provided 1 million Australian children with affordable dental care over the past two years, many of them children whose parents had never previously been able to afford a dentist.
Labor initiated the scheme following alarming reports by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that 42 per cent of 5 year olds and 61 per cent of 9 year olds had experienced decay in their baby (deciduous) teeth and 58 per cent of 14 year olds had experienced permanent tooth decay.
The scheme provides eligible children with up to $1000 in dental treatment every two years.
Despite the overwhelming need for the scheme, it has been under attack from the Liberals the moment it commenced.
Many parents remain unaware the scheme exists, with the Abbott and Turnbull Governments never once promoting it.
In last year’s Budget the government ripped $125.6 million from the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
Now, with the prime minister too weak to consider serious tax reform, it appears the Liberals are resorting to yet another attack on health.,
This attack would come on top of the $60 billion in health cuts already announced by this government in its first 2 years in power, including $57 billion cuts from hospitals, its four year freeze on Medicare rebates for GPs and its $650 million in cuts to Medicare rebates for pathology and diagnostic imaging.
Now the government has the teeth of Australia’s kids in its sights, confirming yet again that the Liberals only ever see health as a source for Budget cuts.
KIDS DENTAL SCHEME TURNBULLS NEXT HEALTH TARGET
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2016