Lobbying Politicians for Health Care Cards
Hi all, here is what I think will be the final draft, any comments are welcomed.
Discussion Paper
Health Care Cards for Australians diagnosed with a ‘Life Threatening Illness or Chronic Disease’.
Purpose
The purpose of this discussion paper is to bring to the attention of Australian Politicians the discrimination that exists for people who are diagnosed with a life threatening illness or chronic disease who are not in receipt of a ‘Health Care Card’.
The cost of being ill
The following is an excerpt of an article by Sue Dunlevy, The Sunday Telegraph, November 18, 2012.
The Menzies Centre for Health Policy study has found 250,000 Australians spend more than 20 per cent of their income on health costs. Doctors and anesthetists who charge large out-of-pocket gap fees, poor health insurance cover, Medicare rebates that haven’t kept pace with inflation and the $35.40 copayment for medicines are at fault.
A recent Health Consumers NSW survey has found families were being forced to sell their homes skip doctor’s appointments or medicines because of the cost.
“Due to the combination of suddenly not being able to work, and the high out of pocket costs of my illness, we had to sell our family home,” one respondent told the survey.
“Have not attended a cardiologist since February 2011. Cannot afford to,” another said.
The government’s Private Health Insurance Administration Council said health fund members paid $4.3 billion in out of pocket expenses last financial year.
Research by the George Institute found 11 per cent or 28,665 bankruptcies in 2009 cited ill health or absence of health insurance as the primary reason.
A recent survey of 3000 National Seniors members found one in five Australians aged 50 – 64 are skipping doses of their prescription medicines because of cost.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures show Australians spend an average $1075 a year in out-of-pocket health expenses.
“The issue is whilst we say we have a universal system the reality is many people are struggling,” Consumers Health Forum chief Carol Bennett said. “The cumulative costs of a chronic illness mean you have multiple scripts and scans and appointments and you’ve got to make the difficult choice of whether you see your doctor or put food on the table.”
Currently in Australia if you are not in receipt of a ‘Health Care Card’ medications on the PBS are charged at $35.40, pathology $224 (minimum), scans between $400 - $900 etc. Why is that that tax paying, private health insured Australians are made to pay for life saving treatment?
For example on average women diagnosed with breast cancer will undergo several surgeries, ongoing pathologies ($224 x 3 months), medications ($150 monthly), several specialist appointments (3 months or more depending on case costing each between $195 - $225) scans (between $300 - $700) and required supplements ($50 monthly) due to the side effects of the life saving medications. These medical treatments for the majority will be ongoing for the rest of the individuals life.
The cost for a mother, daughter, sister, aunt or grandmother to want to continue to live in this very wealthy and prosperous country comes at a cost! Isn’t being diagnosed with a life threatening illness or chronic disease already more than enough to have to deal with?
The following needs to be asked and answered by our Government!
1. Why is the current Government, more concerned about coming in on a financial surplus, then helping those who really need the financial help?
2. Isn’t Australia well placed in the global financial forum?
3. Why should an Australian loose their life because they can’t afford to pay for life saving medical treatment?
4. Why should Australians raid their superannuation nest eggs to pay for life saving treatment and medication?
5. Why should Australians have to declare bankruptcy because they can’t afford to pay for life saving treatment?
6. Why should Australians have to sell their dream, the Australian Home, because they can’t afford life saving medical treatment?
5. Why does it come at such a distressing cost to want to continue to live, see your children grow, be there for your grandchildren?
7. Why does the Government not issue to Australians young and old who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness or chronic disease with a Health Care Card. This would go a long way in easing the financial burden during a time when it is so important that psychological and physical energies are directed at fighting their illness and not wondering do I have enough money to fight this fight! Or does a child have to witness their parent stress about where the money is going to come to pay for their medical treatment. This is reality!
8. Why doesn’t the Government help people/families in such circumstances, do the Politicians forget who voted them into power.
Australian Politicians should be ashamed of themselves to make people with life threatening illnesses or chronic diseases, continue to pay for their treatment and medications where they have paid taxes and private health insurance for the majority of their working lives. Just because the person/family earn over a certain amount of money doesn’t mean they all of a sudden have disposal income to meet burgeoning health costs.
How to assess for Health Care Card
For an Australian who has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness or chronic disease and not in receipt of a Health Care Card, I propose that the following process is adopted:
1. The individual is diagnosed by a treating medical specialist, who confirms the diagnosis in writing along with providing how long medical intervention will be required.
2. The wording from the treating medical specialist must specify for an illness such as a cancer etc the terminology ‘life threatening illness’ will only be accepted the same terminology to be used for chronic illness also.
3. The letter confirming that the individual has been diagnosed with a ‘life threatening illness’, is forwarded to the Department of Health and Community Services – Health Care Card Section - Canberra and a copy provided to the individuals treating General Practitioner for record.
4. Within six weeks of receipt of confirmation letter a ‘Health Care Card’ issued to the individual for the duration that is stipulated on the letter of confirmation. However, there may occurrences where extension may be required. If this is the case another letter from the treating medical specialist will be required and the previous process to be repeated.
5. During the waiting period of being issued with a ‘Health Care Card’ medications and medical treatments may be required. All receipts for these out of pocket expenses are to be retained. Once in receipt of a ‘Health Care Card’ the individual to lodge a claim with Medicare to have ‘out of pocket expenses’ reimbursed.
6. Department of Health and Community Services will have the option to request a review of retention of a Health Care Card. This will require a second opinion from a medical specialist in the same field, at the cost of Department of Health and Community Services.
7. If unfortunately, the individual passes away all outstanding out of pocket medical expenses will still be reimbursed, however this may take some time depending on estate issues.
Summary
The issue of a Health Care Card to individuals diagnosed with a life threatening illness or chronic disease will assist in alleviating the financial burden that these individuals and families face on a daily basis.
All that is asked is equality, in a country like Australia where we pride ourselves as being fair and looking after your mates. Surely, the issuing of a Health Care Card to those who are also desperately in need of one, is the Australian thing to do!
Comments
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My nest egg of superannuation is gone due to my unpredictable health not allowing me to return to work. Due to my age, born in 1956, I am not eligible to receive a government pension until I am 67.3 years Who knows when that will stretch out once again. My husband is the same age so it is a long time before we are going to be able to access a pension. He worked overseas in England for 13 years . No superannuation was in place then so his superannuation balance is minimal. My medication, Arimidex, costs me $35/month. However to find extra health benefits I take a multitude of vitamins which are extremely costly. We are also paying off a morgage. XLeonie
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