6 years ago
TURNBULL TARGETS MEDICARE TO PROP UP HIS BUDGET BOTTOM LINE
THE HON CATHERINE KING
Today’s MYEFO papers show that Turnbull is banking almost half a billion in savings to Medicare – using the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review to prop up their own bottom line in health.
And Turnbull has shirked another opportunity to drop his entire Medicare freeze immediately – meaning Australians will still be paying more for their health come January 1.
Labor is supportive of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review but we have been clear that it cannot be a guise for more Turnbull cuts.
Today’s update outlines net savings of $409 million over five years from 2016‑17 – but the same papers show that Turnbull is only putting $10.6 million back towards new and amended Medicare listings.
Where has the missing $398 million gone?
Labor has concerns about the detail of the Government’s response to the review of MBS items, including if any funding will be reinvested in after-hours services. We won’t accept a single dollar being ripped from Medicare.
Turnbull is cutting $2.2 billion from Medicare over the next four years through the freeze – on top of savings already banked.
Turnbull only cares about his own political health – not the health of Australians.