News

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 Someone 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 .

Join the conversation

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

Share your views with other members. 

Want to leave a comment? or .
Read our moderation policy here.
Greg
Greg from NSW commented:

Has any Govt ever reported the true cost of any measure?? It is time all parties realised they are employed by us to do what they advertised in their election campaigns and not go sneaking things in through back doors. 

jurgen
jurgen from QLD commented:

After recieving a letter from mr abbot about all the cost savings he let us pensioners retain i would doubt it 

Emily
Emily from QLD commented:

Hope it is dead and buried. Emily 

David
David from NSW commented:

David from NSW I like a lot of other people would like to think that it is the end of it but! with politicians they will bring it back under a different disguise. Look what they did with Bob Hawks Australia card that has come back under many different disguise 

Merve
Merve from NSW commented:

Sincerely hope the Fifty Up Club is not going to be yet another minor party in the next election with John Mangos as its' leader. Merve NSW. 

Greg
Greg from NSW commented:

Well done by all involved. Given the latest little back door measure to raise some revenue i.e. the CPI increases to fuel, one must ponder what else they (The Government) are up to. Transparency is a big issue that needs to be addressed. 

jurgen
jurgen from QLD replied to Greg:

they quoted 44cents a week but no comment of other costs related to the increase of the price of fuell? 

George
George from NSW commented:

What Co Payment ? Down here in the Southern Highlands you would be lucky to get a doctor who bulk bills. Im out of pocket about $30 every time I see the doctor I only wish I could have a $7 co payment 

Judith
Judith from NSW replied to George:

Same goes for far down here on the far south coast. That is if you are able to get an appointment before you become critical. 

Thomas and Claire
Thomas and Claire from NSW replied to George:

Yes, George, many retired people are in your position. But the co-payment proposal scooped up all those who are not being bulk billed as well: the Government also proposed to reduce the rebate paid to those paying above the bulk-billing rate by $5, meaning you would be paying an extra $5 per visit. They don't miss a trick! 

Carole & Keith
Carole & Keith from NSW commented:

I think this is a ridiculous fiddly tax, as it will cost more to administer, and most of the money will be eaten up in administration costs...just like charities, where administration is where most of the money goes. I stopped doing voluntary charity work when I found this out, as I was not working my butt off to pay those brainless paid administration people, who made bad decisions. Best solution is asking for donations for the research, plenty would be happy to do that. .....Anne NSW 

Paul
Paul from NSW commented:

Re the GP co-payment - Pensioners will be exempt anyway, why do you not comment in an honest fashion? 

Lana
Lana from QLD commented:

Great news about the co-payment,hope it stays dead 

Comment Guidelines