[Greens-Media] Media Release: West hit hardest by Coalition GP fees

[Adele.Pedder at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Western Suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland has slammed the Abbott 
Government?s $7 GP fee as a vicious attack on public healthcare, and is 
deeply concerned that Melbourne?s west will be most affected.
National Health Performance Authority data shows that the South Western 
Melbourne Medicare Local area had the highest GP bulk-billed visits in 
2012-13 at 91 per cent. This includes Hobsons Bay and Wyndham. 
In north-west Melbourne (including Footscray and Sunshine), 89 per cent of 
patients were bulk billed ? the equal third highest rate of bulk-billing 
in the State*.
?Melbourne?s west will be amongst the worst affected places by the Abbott 
Government?s new $7 GP fee,? said Colleen Hartland.
?Fees for pathology and imaging, as well as the $5 increase to 
medications, which equates to an 80 per cent increase for concession card 
holders. This will also hit families hard.?
?I am deeply concerned that people on low incomes in the Western Suburbs 
will put off going to the doctor or won?t be able to afford medications.?
?We need a health system that helps people stay healthy and out of 
hospital by dealing with problems while they are still small. The GP fee 
will discourage early action and lead to sicker communities, and in turn, 
higher health care costs.?
?You can?t trust the Coalition with your health. At a federal level they 
have ripped money out of hospitals and they have attacked universal health 
care. At a state level funding for health is flatlining. Together they are 
destroying the health system we hold dear.?
For comment: Colleen Hartland 0417 445 845. 
*
http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbournes-west-has-victorias-highest-gp-bulkbill-rate-20140422-372d8.html#ixzz31dZZo5Kf