ERIC HUTCHINSON WELCOMES DECISION ON MEDICARE

FEDERAL Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson has welcomed today’s decision to scrap the $5 GP co-payment.

Health Minister Sussan Ley announced this afternoon that the $5 co-payment did not have broad support so the proposed $5 reduction to the Medicare rebate would no longer proceed and had been taken off the table.

Mr Hutchinson said he was pleased that while the co-payment was gone there would be a pause in indexation to the Medical Benefits Scheme while the government worked through it with GPs.

“GPs are a valuable part of the primary health care sector in Australia but let’s not ignore that patients are important too,’’ Mr Hutchinson said.

“The challenge remains that the Medicare levy brings in $8 million a year, the Medical Benefits Scheme costs $20 million a year and it’s going to cost $34 million in the next 10 years.

“Medicare’s priority should be to protect the vulnerable but also make the system sustainable.’’

Mr Hutchinson said that he was pleased that the Medical Research Future Fund would remain an objective of the Government and that savings made through the health budget would go into the fund.

“Medical research is important because it’s about finding cures to diseases that affect the quality of life of people suffering from illnesses like diabetes, dementia and cancer,’’ he said.

“Australia has always been a leader in medical research and increasingly, services such as health, medical and aged care services will become important exports for the country.’’

Mr Hutchinson said that the landmark trade agreement with China would enable Australian aged care and hospital services to own and operate profit-making businesses in China.
FEDERAL Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson