[Greens-Media] Spam: Media Release - Greens to inject $664 million into Medicare

[Blyberg, Andrew (Sen R. Di Natale)]

Media Release

27/7/2013

Greens to inject $664 million into Medicare

Australian Greens spokesperson health, Senator Richard Di Natale, was joined today by Tasmanian Senator, Peter Whish-Wilson, at an AMA conference in Hobart to announce an additional $664 million in Medicare funding.

"We're pleased to announce today that the Greens commit to injecting an additional 664 million dollars into Medicare," said Senator Di Natale.

"The Greens understand that out-of-pocket costs in healthcare are rising and that people are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to see a doctor.

"Labor cut over $600 million in Medicare funding in the last budget and the coalition backed the changes. The cuts, which are the result of a delay in Medicare indexation, will impact on bulk billing and increase costs for patients. 

"The Greens are committed to universal healthcare and believe that your health shouldn't be determined by your bank balance.

"This is just the first in a suite of fully-costed Greens' policies aimed at dealing with the out-of-pocket costs of healthcare."

Greens Senator for Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson, said that protecting people's health was a driving cause for the Greens. 

"Everyone should be able to afford good quality healthcare and that's why Greens are committed to keeping the costs of healthcare down.

"Once upon a time Labor also believed in universal healthcare but now they've joined Tony Abbott in supporting a two-tiered American-style heath system."

Media Contacts
Andrew Blyberg (Di Natale) - 0457 901 600
Thomas Moore (Whish-Wilson) - 0409 164 603