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NewsIs the GP Co-payment dead, or is it just resting?
Is the GP Co-payment dead, or is it just resting?

Is the GP Co-payment dead, or is it just resting?

Tags: Consumer Action Cost of Living Private Health Insurance Sticking Up for FiftyUps
Last updated by John Mangos on

d&mHere at the FiftyUp Club, we’ve been banging on about healthcare costs for the over-50s all year.

Never more so than when Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey announced plans for a $7 co-payment every time we visit the GP, X-ray or pathologist as part of the Budget earlier this year.

It’s been nearly three months since we travelled to Canberra to meet with the Federal Health Minister on behalf of the Club’s members.

More than 10,000 of you added your voice to Our Submission to Minister Dutton.

So what’s happened since?

Good news is, the Federal Government’s proposal has stalled and we sure hope it stays that way.

Reluctantly the Government put the measure on ‘hold’ as they don’t have the numbers to pass it through the Senate.

The official line from the Government is that they “are still committed to the measure.”

So whilst they haven’t entirely backed down, for the time being at least, it looks like you won’t be paying $7 every time you visit your GP.

Further, I have it from reliable sources in Canberra that it’s as good as dead. Read: too much political pain for too little electoral or fiscal gain.

That’s a huge win for the Club and for each one of you.

On top of our submission, more than 13,000 of you signed our petition calling for greater transparency on the rising cost of private health insurance for FiftyUps.

We made our stance loud and clear when we asked Mr Dutton to publish figures on premium increases by age band, and to reduce the impact of co-payments on Australians aged 50 and over, particularly those on fixed incomes.

To his credit, Mr Dutton gave us a fair hearing. Ours was not the only disenchanted voice.

The sheer weight of numbers has forced a re-evaluation of a universally condemned measure to raise revenue.

It wouldn’t be right for us at the FiftyUp Club to take sole credit for the backdown, but boy, did we add pressure!

Thank you members for your increasing support. And thank you Victoria for jumping on… we now have more than 10,000 of you joined up in less than two weeks.

Victorians have now unlocked deals on Electricity, Car and Health Insurance like the rest of us. And it won’t stop there.

We’ve already filled at least an MCG on Grand Final Day. Politicians and Corporate Australia have realised they ignore that voice at their peril. And we’re barely a year old.

Keep getting on the train. This ride to improve our spending power has only just begun

CLICK HERE to send a Thankyou email to Health Minister Peter Dutton

Originally posted on .

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Is the GP Co-payment dead or is it just Resting?

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Mary-Loretta
Mary-Loretta from NSW commented:

I have to agree with Christine from NSW. 1/11/14. We have to get this country out of the huge debt. Why can't the govt. just stop giving handouts to those who come here without enough to provide for themselves until they get a job. Also, I would like to see Australia introduce something similar to America's green card before allowing new immigrants to become Australian citizens. 

Chris
Chris from VIC commented:

I am a self funded retiree. I bring in just a fraction over what a pensioner does but without any government additives, eg, cheaper car ergo, rate etc. My doctor already charges me a $30 fee to see him. Is this to become $37. I cannot afford it. 

Fernando
Fernando from VIC commented:

I think there needs to be clarity around whether the co-payment also applies to all other medical services - eg, xrays, blood tests, etc. We already pay for the services. There is no need to pay for them again. Instead the Government must focus on better health outcomes - to reduce the likelihood of complications. Are they? 

kelvin
kelvin from QLD replied to Fernando:

as I understand it the gps are not happy being a tax collector and would want an incentive payment .whether that figure is to be added to the proposed co-payment I am not sure .This needs to be clarified by the health minister. 

christine
christine from NSW commented:

I am a self funded retiree and am happy to pay the co-payment. Everyone has gone mad thinking this co-payment and the newer fuel levy is a bankrupting ,.there are safety measures in place for those unable to pay.the co-payment and even if it's an extra dollar a week I hardly think this is going to make much difference to the household budget.I am willing to do this if in the long run it stops my grandchildren from being saddled with the debt we have inherited 

Fernando
Fernando from VIC replied to christine:

You seem to forget that impact of any additional costs on low income families. Great to know you can pay the co-payment. Just remember that while wealthy organisations and especially mining companies get away with paying minimal taxation (out of top 200 companies 14% PAY NO TAX) the taxes for the ordinary Aussie gets increased. Saddled with debt? Looked recently at what the Government has done? Nearly doubled the debt in one year - great effort - and it wouldn't take much to address this problem - ensure the top end of town pays appropriate tax, ensure we are properly compensated for the resources taken from Australia, ensure corporate welfare is massively reduced, etc - should pay off the debt in one year. 

Tom
Tom from NSW commented:

From reading the comments it is obvious that most people are OK with some form of co-payment & most of those against it are from the welfare brigade that expect everything for free. Except nothing is for free it is paid for, of course, by taxpayers. 

Fernando
Fernando from VIC replied to Tom:

"welfare brigade"? - sounds like you have a blue chip on your shoulder. PS. The public health system is already paid for - and one of the least cost systems in the World - or would you rather the system they employ in the USA - that ranks very poorly World-wide. I prefer to do a proper cost-benefit analysis to truly understand what is best for our Society - not just specific individuals. 

Tom
Tom from NSW replied to Fernando:

Blue chip? I started part time work at 13 & have been working full time paying taxes until recently. I now work part time again. I am 73 

Fay
Fay from QLD commented:

Don't be surprised if Clive Palmer does some sort of deal given their recent back flip on the ETS Scheme they wanted in place before they would agree to the Coalition changing the RET scheme. maybe we shoudl be courting PUP Senators rather than the Coalition. 

Julie
Julie from VIC commented:

I am in my mid sixties and still working 11 shifts a fortnight in two jobs , One of my jobs I work in the public system and we need to bring in the co-payment, people have mobile phone, Optus and nothing is free so why should the health system be free the emergency department where I work is now like a glorified GP clinic not for Emergencies. People not people over 65 need to get off the handouts and start working. Sick to death of all the excuses about the place Work for the dole and pay the co-payment as it is going to research 30 years time no-one will work just all handouts! 

Annette
Annette from NSW commented:

Thank you, a big help to us if only for awhile...Annette 

David
David from QLD commented:

Hey O P from Vic.It is people like you that obviously rely on govt handouts that are sending this country bankrupt. 

Thomas and Claire
Thomas and Claire from NSW commented:

The fact that the Government's stance is, as reported above: that they “are still committed to the measure" of a co-payment means that, if the Liberals are able to get the numbers in the Senate after the next election (and indeed if the Liberals again win Government) then the co-payment, along with all other measures from the Budget that have been blocked during this term, will again raise their ugly heads. Their unfair Budget measures have not been dropped or abandoned, just put on hold in the hope of getting the numbers in the Senate after the next election to be able to push them through. 

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