Official new data confirms what people in Macarthur already know – that health costs have never been higher under the current government in Canberra.
The government’s own health department has revealed to the Senate that people in Macarthur pay an average out-of-pocket fee of $34.93 to see a GP.
“This is a record high – up $13.38 or 62 percent since the Liberals were elected,” says Dr Mike Freelander, pictured.
The Member for Macarthur’s issued a scathing condemnation of the Coalition Government’s failures in health.
“These new figures are a damning indictment of the Coalition’s record of cuts and neglect in health,” Dr Freelander said.
“We know that for many Australians, access to health care services is severely limited, and in some cases health care is simply unaffordable.’’
The health department has also contradicted the government’s claims on bulk billing, admitting that 5.6 percent of patients in Macarthur have to pay to see a GP.
Specialist out-of-pocket fees are also at record highs, with people in Macarthur paying an average $96.32 to see a specialist – up a staggering $32.45 or 51 percent under the Coalition.
With just 28.6 percent of people in Macarthur always bulk billed by specialists, these costs hit thousands of locals every year.
This comes on the heels of the federal government making it harder for locals to access electrocardiograms (ECGs) as well as cuts to bulk billing incentives in regional areas.
“With out-of-pocket gap costs soaring for patients, Australians are delaying or avoiding Medicare services each and every year due to costs,’’ Dr Freelander said.
“People are already struggling to make ends meet amidst this recession. It is simply unacceptable that the Coalition is allowing essential health care to become more and more unaffordable, especially in the middle of a global pandemic.’’
