Medicare Safety Net changes will affect women and rural people

04-June-2009

Sophie Mirabella MP, supports the Royal College of Obstetrician’s view that the government’s Medicare Safety Net changes will diminish women’s health choices.

In the 2009-10 Federal Budget, the Government announced measures to cap fees for certain services under the Safety Net from 1 January, 2010. These services include all IVF treatments, all obstetric services, and some ultrasounds related to pregnancy.

Changes to the cap could force thousands of women into the public health system, according to the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists has warned that; The halving of the fee for cataract surgery is likely to curtail its availability in rural Australia; That it will lead to greater congestion in the public hospital system and; Increased costs to both insured and uninsured patients.

Prior to the 2007Federal election, Labor gave an unambiguous commitment that it would not change the Medicare Safety Net. “With about one million people each year receiving some cost relief from the safety net, Federal Labor will not put more pressure on family budgets by taking that assistance away.” Media release on 22/9/07 from Kevin Rudd and Nicola Roxon.

“This is just another broken promise by the Rudd Government, which will particularly affect the health services for women and rural people,” said Mrs Mirabella.

Other services with capped fees under the Safety Net from 1 January 2010 include treatment of varicose veins and hair transplants.

“To pay for its reckless spending, the Rudd Government has targeted critical areas such as health in an attempt to service its rapidly mounting debt. Australians will already pay for the cash splash with crippling debt. Now they will also pay with higher health costs,” said Mrs Mirabella.

“Mr Rudd promised to “fix” health, and now he is making health more expensive for Australian families.”