TURNBULL’S HEALTH AFFORDABILITY CRISIS

Australians are paying more than ever to access the health care they need under Malcolm Turnbull’s health affordability crisis.

Reports today that patients are commonly charged in excess of the Medicare Benefits Schedule shows there must be greater transparency on how fees are set and what is being charged. 

As the AMA and colleges have acknowledged, the fact that some specialists are charging excessively is putting enormous pressure on patients. 

 

But not a single part of Turnbull’s freeze on Medicare patient rebates has been lifted - even worse, he is planning on keeping parts in place until 2020. Every day he doesn’t drop his entire freeze Australians pay more for their health care. 

 

The AMA says that Turnbull’s freeze is driving up costs for patients, with rebates frozen since 2014.

 

Out of pocket health costs have never been higher - Australians are paying more to see a GP, more to see a specialist, more for their private health insurance.

 

Turnbull went to the last election promising Australians wouldn’t pay more for their health - he can’t be trusted and the fact he is keeping parts of his freeze in place until 2020 shows how out of touch he really is.