Paediatrician and Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP, has today raised concerns about the soaring cost of health care.
Figures released late last month by the Department of Health have confirmed that out-of-pocket expenses have skyrocketed for Australian patients since the Coalition took office.
Dr Freelander stated that the Government had been “asleep at the wheel”, and that Australia was at risk of turning into an “Americanised, two-tiered healthcare system.”
“Medicare was founded under the basic principal that all Australians, no matter their background or wealth, ought to be afforded equitable care,” said the Member for Macarthur.
“With out-of-pocket expenses skyrocketing under the Morrison Government, we risk people forgoing essential treatment because they simply cannot afford to prioritise their health and wellbeing.”
The Member for Macarthur had tabled a motion in the House of Representatives, regarding out-of-pocket expenses for Australian patients, last month.
According to the Department of Health’s own figures, the average out-of-pocket expense for patients seeing a GP had increased by 29.5% since the Liberal-National Party took office in 2013.
Out-of-pocket expenses for Specialist Attendances had increased by $47.58 per visit in the same period, or an increase of 43.8%.
Similarly out-of-pocket costs for Anaesthetics have increased by 43.8%, while the average patient contributions for Radiotherapy and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicines had increased by 190%.
“This is truly staggering. Under the Coalition Government, out-of-pocket costs for cancer patients have almost tripled,” said Dr Freelander.
“The Morrison Government, through either incompetence, ignorance, or malice, have allowed healthcare to become increasing unaffordable for Australian patients.”
“We are in the midst of a pandemic, and our collective public health must be a priority for all. The Government must urgently address the rising cost of health care, to ensure that Australians are not forgoing accessing essential care.”
