ANOTHER GOVERNMENT BACKFLIP – MENTAL HEALTH REBATES TO STAY FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS
20-May-2010
An embarrassing backflip on Medicare rebates for mental health support services has vindicated local concern and shown Federal Member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella, correct on the need for the rebate.
The rebate will not be cut until April next year, after initial plans to scrap it this July.
“I said this week that to cut rebates for social workers and occupational therapists was just another scheme by the government that would harm locals by removing much needed services not a real look at rationalising support services,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“Less than a week after announcing the cuts, Labor has had to admit it was bad policy and was pressured into a backdown – albeit temporary.
“Even the Labor candidate for Indi was spruiking the changes as a bold and positive move for health services and it turned out to be a cash grab.
“She even went as far as saying that the Labor Government had made the change on industry advice, yet the health industry said today they lobbied the Labor Government to maintain the scheme.
“This is yet another ill thought out policy, like the home insulation, like the ETS, like the school buildings, and a blow to the more vulnerable in our society.
“If Labor wins the next election, they will probably claim a mandate to remove access to mental health services sooner than April.”
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