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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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sabih saleh
sabih saleh from NSW commented:

great news thank you very much 

Max
Max from QLD commented:

Thank you for your help in this matter. MW Spencer 

greg
greg from NSW commented:

you have jumped the gun john it has not been dropped yet, and who cant afford to pay for it. you can I can and so can a majority of Australians. in nz its $30 . DO YOU PAY TO HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED OR DO WANT OTHER TAX PAYERS TO PAY GREG 

Ivan
Ivan from QLD replied to greg:

Greg, maybe the majority of Australians can afford it, but concession holders to whom this would apply are age or disability pensioners and have less than $60 per day to live on before their rent and utility payments. I think the reference to car servicing is irrelevant as many of them cannot afford a car, and the comparison with NZ seems pointless 

John
John from NSW replied to Ivan:

If I was getting $420 per week I could afford $7 to see my GP 

Ivan
Ivan from QLD replied to John:

Maybe you could John , but my fear is once the fee is introduced, how long will it stay at $7.00? 

David
David from NSW commented:

Great News but can we change the govt's attitude from attacking wage earners to getting stuck into the rorts of the wealthy like hiding their assets and incomes thro various financial devices and claiming welfare payments. The age of entitlement is not over for them!!! We have too many multimillionaires in this country. Their wealth comes at the expense of the rest of the community. The country can't afford to keep so many in luxury without depriving the rest of us!!! This govt is a cynical, priviledged catholic boys club without a skeric of empathy for those on struggle street. 

Stephen
Stephen from QLD commented:

We are way off the track here. Please don't mention the car industry and our manufacturing industry. We simply priced ourselves out of the market with wages and conditions. And Australians wont buy Australian because they prefer to buy cheaper imported stuff. Stop the imports you say ummm so does that mean you will buy Australian at the higher price...maybe but most likely not. I worked in a telemarketing company that made welding rods, fertilizers, and cleaing products. The cleaning products were sold in bulk from 5 litres up. the washing liquid was brilliant but more expensive than the imported stuff in the supermarkets which contain fillers. Comments from Aussies were consistently I prefer the cheaper alternative. Come Alain you go the better price, its our nature. Trouble is we Australians want to be paid well, and here lies the problem when competing in a world market. Loopholes will always be there. Come on Alain if your accountant said we can save you some taxes if we do this what would you say. Gov. is constantly trying to fill loopholes all the time, but more keep appearing, that's how the world works. As for negative gearing etc. you have buckley's and none. And if it was removed, the housing industry would crumble and more jobs lost. As no investors to buy homes means a glut on the market and building ceases. There are always repercussions. I have an investment property and hope it will enable me to not be a burden on the gov with a pension, and that is the case with a lot of investors who don't want to have to draw a pension. Back to the subject at hand $7 is going to stop rorting and abuse of the system to an extent which in turn will free up the clogged system, you would think, and at the same time save tax dollars. Anyway lets get off the beat on the so called rich! Australians are in the top 5% in the world richest people per head of pop.. We have no idea what poor is! We whinge and whine about paying a $7 payment and reckon Kerry Packer, Apple 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Stephen:

Most investors (some foreign, now) are avoiding or minimizing (since thats what you preach) taxes with our government's compliments. The Aussie housing market doesn't need that many investors, we have a strong demand here and not enough stock in relation to population increase... Lets buy AUSSIE SOLAR PANELS, LETS CREATE NEW industries adapted to CLIMATE CHANGE, let's innovate, lets be leaders, NOT followers... HEALTH & EDUCATION MUST REMAIN FREE OR AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE, OR WHY PAY TAXES ??? Once ALL will have been privatized, WHERE WILL OUR TAXES GO??? In the pockets of our politicians? 

David
David from NSW replied to Stephen:

so you have an investment property Stephen, congratulations, you will be relying on someone who cannot afford to buy a home of their own to supplement your retirement income??? 

Stephen
Stephen from QLD replied to David:

Very bad taste David you should be ashamed of yourself. I have worked hard my whole life and have never received any handouts from Gov. or relatives. You should be absolutely ashamed of your comment. Everyone has the opportunity in this great country to do well. I am not going to give you the pleasure of my personal circumstances. But the subject matter is the co-payment and why it should be law. Stop the rorting stop the abuse, free up the medical system. Tax dodgers,, loopholes , the haves and the have nots has nothing to do with the fact that the health system costs billions and the money has to come form somewhere. 

Ross
Ross from QLD commented:

Great work that the co payment has been shelved it should be removed completely don,t trust these scum they call politicians the so called debt that we are in includes private debt which is 3/4 of the amount, most countries run on a deficit 

Daniel
Daniel from NSW commented:

i don't agree I think you should pay to see aGP 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Daniel:

Many pay, a small fortune as a matter of fact... 

Sue
Sue from NSW commented:

Very disappointed with this decision...what is wrong with the general public.. Wake up 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Sue:

Could you, please, elaborate further, Sue? Are you for, or against the 'GP/Blood tests/X Rays co-payments? 

Alain
Alain from NSW commented:

For Stephen but also for others herein: What is wrong with eliminating the loopholes in our taxation system? With taxing the Googles, the Apples, the eBays , etc... etc,... of this planet? What is wrong with putting pressure on countries like Luxembourg, Switzerland to NOT implement the so-called "TAX RULINGS" which allow the richest among us to dodge our taxation system? Why allow speculation on real estate, why prevent first home buyers to enter the market? Remove negative gearing and tax the acquisition of a second, third, etc property... Can I also ask you: Why, years ago, was there a joke going around: If you don't want to pay a cent in taxes write your name as "Kerry Packer" at the top of the page of your tax return... In the same cast as Abbott's policy on rich mums paid to stay at home when a baby is born... And remember what our debt is in relation to our GDP, so you do not have a case, Stephen. Let's restart the car industry, a manufacturing industry (lets not rely ONLY on coal and iron ore) let's become the 'clever country', again, with a ministry of sciences for example (!!!), let's act on climate change (that single problem, alone, yes is going to cost us our economy, is going to send us to the list of third world countries, we need a PM with a vision...) ... 

Dick
Dick from QLD commented:

this is good news but claiming the Fifty Up Club was the influence is a very big call. The fact is that the Senate was never going to pass it. Had it not been for the Senate debacle it would have got up in my view. Besides $7 is peanuts (provided it is capped at that), now we still have problems with overspending., Where do you think the savings are going to be made!!!!! 

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