The Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP, has today issued a scathing condemnation of the Coalition Government’s failures in Health.

Official new data confirms what people in Macarthur already know – that health costs have never been higher than under Scott Morrison.

The Government’s own Health Department has revealed to the Senate that people in Macarthur pay an average out-of-pocket fee of $34.93 to see a GP.

“This is a record high – up $13.38 or 62% since the Liberals were elected,” said the Member for Macarthur.

The Health Department has also contradicted the Government’s claims on bulk billing, admitting that 5.6% of patients in Macarthur have to pay to see a GP.

Specialist out-of-pocket fees are also at record highs, with people in Macarthur paying an average $96.32 to see a specialist– up a staggering $32.45 or 51% under the Coalition.

With just 28.6% of people in Macarthur always bulk billed by specialists, these costs hit thousands of locals every year.

“These new figures are a damning indictment of the Coalition’s record of cuts and neglect in health,” said Dr Mike Freelander MP.

This comes on the heels of the Government making it harder for locals to access electrocardiograms (ECGs) as well as cuts to bulk billing incentives in regional areas.

During the largest pandemic in a century, the Morrison Government has made it more expensive for people in Macarthur to see their doctor.

“We know that for many Australians, access to health care services is severely limited, and in some cases health care is simply unaffordable,” said the Member for Macarthur.

“With out-of-pocket gap costs soaring for patients, Australians are delaying or avoiding Medicare services each and every year due to costs.”

“People are already struggling to make ends meet amidst this recession. It is simply unacceptable that the Coalition is allowing essential health care to become more and more unaffordable, especially in the middle of a global pandemic,” said Dr Freelander.

“After the Liberals tried and failed to impose a GP Tax, they introduced the Medicare freeze – a GP Tax-by-stealth”, said Shadow Health Minister Chris Bowen.

“Scott Morrison extended the freeze as Treasurer, leading directly to the out-of-pocket costs that people in Macarthur face today”, he said. 

Health costs have never been higher than under Scott Morrison.