A trip to the GP will require a credit card rather than a Medicare card if Federal Government cuts to health go ahead according to Throsby MP Stephen Jones.
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The Shadow Assistant Minister for Health addressed a Save Medicare Rally in Nowra along with Labor’s Candidate for Gilmore Fiona Phillips on Thursday.
While the Federal Government has ditched its controversial GP co-payment proposal, other proposed ‘’savings measures’’ have sparked concerns.
Mr Jones said such measures – which include axing of the bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging services – could see providers passing costs on to patients.
‘’We want to put the pressure on (Prime Minister) Malcolm Turnbull – he’s got a budget in 19-days time which gives him the opportunity to prove he has a different set of health policies to Tony Abbott,’’ he said.
‘’People are concerned about cuts to bulk billing for medical imaging and pathology; the axing of the child dental benefit scheme and the rebate freeze for GP consultations.
‘’People will soon have to take their credit card to the doctor when they get sick and need a doctor; when they need a blood test; when they need to go to a dentist.’’
Mr Jones said if patients had to pay more for pathology and imaging, many may avoid vital tests which could detect life-threatening conditions including cancer.
Medicare is very important to me as an Australian, and as a nurse and midwife.
- Shoalhaven nurse Annette Alldrick
Similarly, the scrapping of the child dental benefit scheme introduced by Labor would see kids go without vital dental care.
‘’This scheme gives families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford dental care for their kids, access to a dentist,’’ Mr Jones said.
NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Shoalhaven delegate Annette Alldrick was one of around 100 protesters at the rally.
‘’Medicare is very important to me as an Australian, and as a nurse and midwife,’’ she said. ‘’Everyone should have access to affordable healthcare – we don’t want an American user-pays system; we want to keep our universal healthcare system.’’
Ms Alldrick said any cuts would adversely impact the public hospital system.
‘’If people are discouraged from seeking primary healthcare because they can’t afford it – if they defer going to a GP or getting vital tests – then they will get sicker and end up in hospital.’’
