News

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 .

Join the conversation

FiftyUp Club
BREAKING: GP Co-payments are going, going, gone

Share your views with other members. 

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

Too early to take a bow! This morning's Daily Telegraph in Sydney (Pg 9, 27 Nov 14) says that the Government "is preparing to announce alternative measures as soon as next week. ... One option being considered is to push through higher costs in the form of regulations - possibly by cutting the Medicare rebate ... The new measures will still make it more expensive for most patients to visit a doctor." In other words, the Government has been unable to get their legislation through the Senate, but they are determined to continue with their agenda by other means. 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Thomas and Claire:

It is called 'Fascism', what you cannot get thru democratic means, you impose like dictators have aalways done and still do, all over the banana republics of this planet... Are we fast turning into a banana republic? Do WE want to turn into a banana dictatorship? 

John
John from NSW replied to Alain:

Alain, if "Fascism" is electing and allowing a Government to govern a country then bring it on, let them govern, as the alternative is Communism or Socialism as you show in your input to this forum that you prefer. You can, if you wish, migrate to a country that has these qualities! 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to John:

You elected the obnoxious bigot without asking what his program would be, it was purely a vote 'against' the previous government, and you got more than you bargained for, admit it, the guy lied thru his teeth before the election/to get elected (the Christian he is, or is he?...), and there would be many alternatives -not only communism, or whatever antiquated regime...- to his fascist dictatorship (where bills are not discussed in Parliament but forced upon us) if there were not so many dishonest (themselves, they won't admit that they were conned by Abbott) parochial rednecks in the now 'not so lucky' country... 

Ada
Ada from NSW commented:

What a pity, we have become a nation of entitlers. Eventually the debt will bite us all, you know where. So, don't celebrate yet Ada 

Dan
Dan from NSW commented:

Another victory for the brain dead.Remember the government pays $1000 million dollars in interest every month on our debt. What could we do with that money, new hospitals, better aged care facilities, infrastructure. No problems our grand kids can pay the debt, And John Mangos thinks this is a great result, no wonder this country is in a mess.Is this fifty club an offshoot of the labor party or the ABC or Fairfax. 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Dan:

This government's policies are based upon lies, lies before the election, lies after the election and no one likes to be taken for a ride, likes to be treated with the utter contempt this government has been treating us so far, or would some of you accept such a treatment, accept to be deceived? I would like to understand why.... The PM is not up to the task, doesn't have the charisma neither the position requires (Refer to the G20...), we lost Gough Whitlam recently and the contrast would not have escaped you as far as being competent in the function (putting aside some minor hiccups). It is an accumulation of many many problems created by the sheer incompetence of the Libs which is now the problem, as they obliterated the car industry, they want to obliterate the primary health care in this country, i.e. the Libs want to prevent the one million visits a year to a GP, to a radiology service (X-Rays, MRIs etc.. are also affected by a co-payment), to a pathology service (blood tests would also be affected), ALL important to save money as PREVENTATIVE medicine... 

John
John from NSW replied to Alain:

Did not the previous Governments' tell lies? or, in your mind, only Conservatives lie? 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to John:

They did, indeed, another reason to think outside the circle, there are not only the two parties in Australia, you know... It is about time we realized that we are governed, have been for a while, now, by dodgy, incompetent pollies, our future is certainly not with neither of them, unlike you want to turn Australia into a 'banana republic', refer previous comments... 

Alain
Alain from NSW replied to Alain:

*unless 

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

Dan, I can see that you are very alarmed by the "big numbers". It's important to look at issues like level of national debt and level of interest payments in an unbiased and rational way. For anyone who is interested in reading a very informative and easy-to-read article on this subject, that shows the true picture without all the alarmist hype and political bias, have a look at a report in the independent online newspaper, The Guardian, here: http://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2014/jun/09/government-debt-it-all-depends-on-how-you-look-at-it 

Dan
Dan from NSW replied to Thomas and Claire:

My response is at what stage does debt become a problem. Ask the Greeks , the Spaniards, what they think of debt.The Japanese and Americans have no chance of repaying their debt.Remember our debt is someone else asset, and i think we are morally obliged to repay our debt. There is three ways of repayment, 1) repay the money 2) inflate the money i.e. debase the money 3) default payment.History tells us gold is the currency of Kings, silver the currency of traders and debt the currency of slaves. Further we can start repaying our debt or leave it to our grandkids, take your pick. 

Peter
Peter from QLD commented:

I don't think that the FiftyUp Club had any real influence on what has transpired, and if they did then hang your head in shame. Money towards research, reduced abuse of the health system - the $7 co-payment has got to reduce the wasted costs of the health system whislt providing future cures for diseases. Pull your head in FiftyUp Club - you didn't represent the majority of your members. 

Joel - FiftyUp Club
Joel - FiftyUp Club from QLD replied to Peter:

Hi Peter, our position on the co-payment was based entirely on the 11,000-member survey we did of our members. Most were for repairing the budget and for medical research, but just didn't think this proposal was the way to make those things happen. The Minister now says they are looking at other options and we are prepared to consider whatever else is put forward on a case-by-case basis. 

Peter
Peter from QLD replied to Joel - FiftyUp Club:

Sorry Joel, but this IS an appropriate way. It is not just the medical research and budget repair that it will assist with, but the contribution it will make toward reducing the abuse of the current 'free' system. 

Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

What an absolute shame this sensible piece of legislation was opposed by selfish fools. Have another two schooners a week and congratulate yourselves. 

Andrew
Andrew from QLD commented:

I don't trust the language 'Shelved' that is not removed, dissolved, or cremated, gone etc... This Government is only taking stock in order to try to win the next Federal Election (good luck with that Mr. Abbot) they will lay under a bush licking there wounds but will rise again when they have a more hospitable senate... Never ever trust a politician, especially when it comes to pensioners, Mr.Rudd has been the only Prime Minister in recent history to give pensioners a substantial increase yet this act of humanized equality seems to be forgotten, the Liberal Party are hell bent on pressing our faces into the soil under the soul of their boots while they live off the fat of the land with their noses deep in the perks trough, I'm afraid its the old adage: "don't do as I do.. Do As I Say" theory. Their only contribution to the so called financial crisis 'heavy lifting' was to remove 'some' air travel perks WOW we are soooo impressed--NOT! Have another cigar on us Mr. Hockey........ Andrew J.Ball 

Alain
Alain from NSW commented:

Haven't you noticed how dishonest this government is? Take any area of politics, for example the pay increase of our Defence Force, I quote Tony Dagger on Change.org : "The offer is currently 1.5% for the next 3 years, and they’re asking ADF members to give up 6 days leave to pay for even that! It’s an absolute insult." Keeping in mind that the CPI [inflation] rate at the moment is... 2.5% ! The same applies to Health, to Education, to Pensions, to [you name it...]... WE HAVE BEEN DECEIVED! 

Brian
Brian from QLD commented:

GOOD NEWS FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS 

elaine
elaine from QLD commented:

In latest news on radio from Commonwealth Government only on back burner at the moment and may go through without going via Senate. Health Minister Peter Dutton's words. 

Lesley
Lesley from NSW commented:

Not at all impressed! The Medicare system is being abused as it is. A lousy $7 - the bulk of which goes to research, which, in time may benefit our kids and grandkids - Sorry, you've lost me! 

Comment Guidelines