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NewsBREAKING: GP Co-payments are going, going, gone
BREAKING: GP Co-payments are going, going, gone

BREAKING: GP Co-payments are going, going, gone

GP-copaymentCongratulations, members. You did it!

There are front-page reports today (pictured) confirming what many suspected – that the Federal Government has heeded the concerns of the FiftyUp Club and other groups and shelved its plans for GP co-payments.[1]

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

As you’ll recall, FiftyUp Club Chairman John Mangos met with Health Minister Peter Dutton in Canberra in August to present the results of a 11,000-member survey on healthcare costs.

The survey showed deep anxiety among over-50s about the soaring costs of keeping well, particularly the impact of co-payments on older Australians and rising health insurance premiums.

Mr Dutton listened to our members’ concerns on co-payments and has now acted with his fellow cabinet ministers to shelve the plans, according to reports today and yesterday.

The apparent backdown on co-payments is a huge win for our members and for all older Australians.

According to member polls, FiftyUp Club members are supportive of reform but are doing it tough, and felt they were being asked to shoulder more than their fair share.

The FiftyUp Club’s healthcare costs survey showed the co-payment plans were a political deal-breaker for many older Australians.

More than two-thirds of FiftyUps surveyed believe the health system is currently unsustainable and are prepared to contribute to reforming it.

However, 30% said the proposed co-payments would force them to avoid the doctor when sick, or go to hospital instead, and could change how they vote.

This result shows the real political power of FiftyUps when they do work together to make their voice heard to policymakers and businesses.

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

[1] “Federal government to shelve $7 GP co-payment policy”, http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/federal-government-to-shelve-7-gp-copayment-policy-20141126-11ul0w.html

Originally posted on .

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BREAKING: GP Co-payments are going, going, gone

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Alain
Alain from NSW commented:

From Bill Shorten, again, today (He is obviously furious and Gough Whitlam must turn in his grave: we owe it to them to not let it happen will be my own comment): " By now you'll have heard Tony Abbott's claims that the GP tax is dead. I doubt you're fooled by the news, but not only is that untrue, his solution is to bring in his tax by stealth. It's up to you and I to make sure everyone knows he's still trying to destroy Medicare. And it's up to you and I to stop him. Tony Abbott can't get his tax through Parliament so instead he decided to sneak past Parliament by cutting the payment to GPs by $5 per consultation and pressuring them to charge patients more to make up the difference. Tony Abbott is committed to taking Medicare apart by removing free access to a GP and ending access to universal healthcare in this country. It's up to us to protect all Australians from Tony Abbott’s dishonest attempt to stand between them and a trip to their doctor. We can do this by getting the word out and showing the Government that Australians don’t want this tax — whether its a $7 GP Tax or a $5 GP Tax by stealth. " 

Alain
Alain from NSW commented:

The all important 'prevention' and 'primary care' GONE with Abbott, 'B' consultation turns into an 'A' one, GP's lose $5.00 on bulk billing, many reasons for both doctors and patients to REFUSE this other 'Liberal' toxic move... 

Alain
Alain from NSW commented:

Just received, from Bill Shorten: " Moments ago Tony Abbott said his GP Tax was dead. But it isn’t the backdown we wanted – it’s just a GP Tax through the backdoor. They are doing exactly the same thing they did with the Petrol Tax – sneaking it around the Parliament, to try to destroy Medicare and make healthcare unaffordable in this country. Labor will protect Medicare. We built it and we won't let Tony Abbott destroy it. We are going to protect ordinary Australian families from this Government’s dishonest attempts to stand between them and a trip to their doctor when they need medical attention. This move is just a desperate Prime Minister under pressure. You and I have been building pressure on Tony Abbott for months and now he's doing anything to save his own skin. He isn’t protecting Medicare – he’s just trying to protect himself. He may have changed his talking points, but he hasn’t changed his mind. Together, we can defend our universal healthcare system. Labor introduced Medibank under Gough Whitlam, and Fraser ditched it. We came back with Medicare in 1984 and no matter what Tony Abbott does we will not stop fighting for Medicare, and we will save it. Thanks for standing with me on this, Bill " 

Wes
Wes from VIC commented:

Sure the Goverment may have dropped the GP Co-payment however they may be devious enough to up the payment for the PBS subscriptions that pensioners pay at present $6 to ? I hope not. Wes from Victoria 

john
john from NSW commented:

Thanks to John Mangos & team for a great result .John NSW 

Margo
Margo from QLD commented:

Are you sure they have gone? 

Dave
Dave from NSW commented:

Great.Great. Got to be great--and very fair.The poorer person so often bares the brunt of Federal governments money grab.But must make sure they keep it fair.Never ever GP Co-payments.Ever. 

Rex
Rex from NSW commented:

Alain from nsw , you seem to be browbeating anyone with an opinion different to yours , just as you are entitled to your say others are entitled to their say without being bullied by you and for all it's worth I'm in favour of the $7 co payment and it is obvious from a lot of the comments on here that many others are also in favour but it appears the lefties are trying to take over 50 up club just as they have taken over our abc 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Rex:

Some 50 up club members are against the Americanisation of Australia, I am one of them, one of those who has made up his mind when comparing the quality of life in the two countries. 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Rex:

Could you, please, qualify the word 'lefties'? 

Alain
Alain from NSW commented:

After the shelving of the Medicare co-payment, who will now claim credit for the shelving of the $100000 degree? Most of the FiftyUp Club members, I hope, myself since the club has shown so far great compassion and common sense on many other failed projects/ideologies originating from our current government, literally bogged, that government in the 'too far right' aspect of their politics. 

Ann
Ann from NSW commented:

Why does the Fifty Up club claim the 'credit ' for the shelving of the GP copayments ? I thought it was because the senate is made up of idiots who think like Alain. Jacqui Lambi....halfwitted bogan, Clive Palmer...appalling clown,...... unspeakable Green nitwits , and the incredibly destructive Labor party. It is stupidity and greed, because we must try and undo some of the debt that this sort of genii have brought down on us. Ann Fowler 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Ann:

Perhaps do we think the way we do (like idiots) 'cause we are not as rich as you are, Ann. Would you allow me to suggest a good program for you to listen to if you are not too busy with your cocktail parties on Sunday nights? Listen to 2GB, to reverend Bill Crews, you should even get richer through his words of wisdom (and you can always contribute to his Exodus foundation, they need help due to the lack of empathy of our governments and most of the ones who vote those governements in). 

Ann
Ann from NSW replied to Alain:

Alain, This is really none of your business and I DID say that I don't debate with morons, but I'm going to make an exception in this case. I thought that you may have worked out that I am not young---the fact that my father died during ww2 is a bit of a give away. I am not rich and have possibly been poorer than you have ever been..my mother was a war widow, you bloody fool ! I married young and had two children and I didn't go to work, my husband worked very hard and we did without so that we could save and get our own house. I DID NOT sit around [ I'm guessing Nimbin ? } with my hand out, expecting handouts from the government . The government HAS no money, they get it from people like us, who work hard, save our money, pay taxes then see it given out to people like you. You are very big on making assumptions about me, so I will return the favour. I assume that you have never worked and have spent your time doing useless courses at universities on various scholarships, spending all your spare time attending protest marches and meetings. Collecting the dole paid by taxpayers, no doubt. In the unlikely event that you DO work, I'll bet you are a key member of the trade union and you spend your time being an obnoxious pest in your workplace. For entertainment you attend Labor party rallies, send tweets and texts to programs like QANDA praising the Labor party for the wonderful things they have done for this country, smoke, drink beer and poke your money through the pokies down at your local club. My assumptions about you are probably closer to the mark than yours of mine, so please get out of my life because I really think you are a loathesome bit of shit. Ann Fowler 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Ann:

Feeling better, now? 

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