The latest federal budget has done nothing to improve regional health services or outcomes.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton said it was an appalling decision by Labor to remove support for regional MRI access.
“This funding was designed to provide better access to Medicare rebates for MRI in regional and rural areas.
“This budget has taken from the regions to support Labor’s re-election campaign in the big cities, putting at risk the health outcomes of those in regional Australia and this decision continues a pattern of behaviour, where Labor ignores us,” Mr Hamilton said.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health Dr Anne Webster said Tuesday night’s budget did nothing to improve regional health services or outcomes.
“I am appalled that the Treasurer’s $70 million to remove the barriers to accessing Medicare rebates for MRI machines, limiting this to only metropolitan areas instead of all regions, especially given that regional Australia that needs them the most. As I said yesterday before Question Time, Labor is playing political games with people’s health to pork barrel city electorates.”
Dr Webster said other health and aged care measures proposed by Labor in the budget failed to account for a lack of workforce.
“Labor is not doing enough to ensure people in regional Australia have adequate access to healthcare. Instead, Labor tries to win over city electorates at the expense of regional Australia. They pour funding into Urgent Care Clinics that are not a long-term strategic solution – all they do is stretch the workforce even further.”
A Coalition government will:
- Restore the number of Medicare-subsidised psychological sessions from 10 to 20.
- Provide $4 million in funding for Ovarian Cancer Australia, and undertake a review of women’s health items available through Medicare and the PBS.
ENDS.
Media contact: Greta Dwan 0414 211 908
