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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

Tags: Cost of Living Private Health Insurance FiftyUp Club News Sticking Up for FiftyUps
Last updated by Joel Gibson on

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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Judith
Judith from NSW commented:

It is a disappointing decision given the fact that we all need to bear some of the tax burden. How will we ever start paying for the largesse of the previous Government and get back on track economically if we continue to block this Budget at every turn? I for one saw this as a chance to curb overservicing by some of the medical profession who take advantage of the hypochondriacs amongst us. 

James
James from NSW commented:

I'm sorry I totally disagree with you I beleive the copayment was necessary being a pensioner I supported it and will always my country before my selfish ways. The government is the one that has to find the 'money to pay us if there is no money what then. 

Robert
Robert from NSW commented:

Pity Australia. I guess some will never learn. For goodness sake it was just $7.00 not like what it is in NZ and you consider you have done abig thing? how about thinking about "your country" instead of yourself. Very easy to put panic into people and I think the 50 club did just that. Shame. 

Peter
Peter from QLD commented:

my understanding is that it is not dead and done but the government still wants to have a co- payment scheme but under a different format 

Michael
Michael from NSW commented:

That's a pity. Even our local bulk-billing medical centre is now charging $30 (out-of pocket) for an appointment with the same doctor we've been seeing for 15 years! Maybe they were getting in early but $7 is nothing compared to $30 and I believe the $7 is capped after a certain number of visits. The $30 local gap-payment is not. It's clear that there are many that are abusing the system so I would have welcomed the small charge. 

Colleen
Colleen from NSW replied to Michael:

I think you are going to the wrong medical centre Michael! 

greg
greg from NSW commented:

dear ivan. of course there should be excepitions the point I was making was we all pay without complaining to service our car tv fridge etc but complain about paying for service on our bodies .which is more important? 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

For those who supported this 7 dollars idea, remember, 7 dollars this year, in 5 years??????? It would be the start of an American style system where the dollar rules. 

Reginald
Reginald from NSW commented:

Here's my comment.what the hell is happening to the Australian public,how stupid are we that a poor $7 payment is such a burden,this is just a simple measure to reduce the amount of visits taken by people that simply go to the doctor at the drop of a hat,and I hate the manipulation of the opposition & tha AMA who are only protecting their own selfish interests I'll be waiting for a reply to these comments Reg 

Wayne
Wayne from QLD commented:

Hey this is very good news but I also heard on the news on our local FM radio station this afternoon that because they have shelved the GP co-payment deal Medicare will collapse. I wonder how much truth is in that?? It sounds like a threat in retaliation. 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Wayne:

NO TRUTH WHATSOEVER IN THAT, BE REASSURED! A TYPICAL TACTIC OF THE FAR RIGHT OF POLITICS TO 'ALARM' THE OPINION TO SUCCEED WHERE THEY HAVE FAILED! 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Alain:

Excuse the Caps in previous reply and by the way, we have in those words from the Libs (they simply 'WISH', the ratbags...) the PROOF that we are dealing with extremists in this Christian government, extremists from the far right of politics, Shorten and the Greens are right in that regard... 

Wayne
Wayne from QLD replied to Alain:

Thanks very much for your prompt reply Alain. After reading your reply it makes more sense than what I heard on the news :-) 

Colleen
Colleen from NSW replied to Alain:

Alain, your religious prejudices are showing. Time for a cold shower and a big mac 'n chips! 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Colleen:

I am a Christian, not a pretend one, like some in our government, Colleen. 

Colleen
Colleen from NSW replied to Alain:

Well then what are you doing here throwing stones, Alain? 

John
John from NSW replied to Wayne:

Don't worry about what Alain says as he hates anybody who has their say that is not communistic. He does not like anybody who believes in the system (you only have to read his comments in this forum) under which we live but not go to live in the Countries under which he would obviously be more comfortable with. These countries would not allow him to carry on the way he does here with his free speech and be against (hate) everything that anybody thinks. I await his hateful comments!!! 

Alain
Alain from NSW commented:

Want a replacement for the co-payment on GPs Visits/X Rays/Blood Tests/Etc... ? A replacement which will have the sure effect of improving our health and filling the government's coffers & all in one go? Just TAX FAST FOOD, JUNK FOOD, SUGARY DRINKS, MOST SUGARS AND ALL BAD FATS... Just look at us, now! 

Ivan
Ivan from QLD replied to Alain:

Alain, I think the GST applies to all of these, except you would need to define "most sugars and all bad fats". Regarding the co-payment I think most of the $7 would be lost in administrative costs. 

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