Forum Discussion
Labor & Liberals both promise subsidised MRIs available to Breast Cancer Women
There must be a general election coming up . ...... Both major parties are promising to have subsidised MRIs for women (especially as MRIs have been available to Men with Prostate cancer for some time!)
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/29/both-major-parties-commit-to-extra-funding-for-breast-cancer-mri-scans
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/29/both-major-parties-commit-to-extra-funding-for-breast-cancer-mri-scans
Both major parties commit to extra funding for breast cancer MRI scans
Morrison government to announce $32.6m in next week’s budget while Labor pledges $47m if it wins election
Both the major parties are promising additional funding for MRI scans for women with breast cancer. Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters
Women with breast cancer have secured commitments from both the major parties for additional funding for MRI scans – $32.6m from the Morrison government coming in next week’s budget, and $47m from Labor if it wins in May.
The Coalition will use next Tuesday’s budget to create two new Medicare items for MRI of the breast, to be available from 1 November 2019, scans that will enable more accurate diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
If Bill Shorten wins the coming election, Labor is promising to “work with experts” to finalise the design of the new Medicare items that will allow subsidies for scans.
Shorten said Medicare already subsidises similar MRI scans for men with prostate cancer – but not for women with breast cancer, except in extremely limited circumstances.
“As a result, thousands of women are being charged up to $1,500 in out-of-pocket costs for the scans used to diagnose their cancer, decide on treatment and ensure cancer does not return,” the Labor leader said.
The government says creating the Medicare items will benefit 14,000 patients a year.
6 Replies
- A Mri would be a nice solution for me as I have an allergy to CT scan contrast. I would rather not have my hands and feet blister again and lose the skin on my fingerprints for a month. Hopefully I won't need either for many years to come.
- It's actually the law - I checked it the first time it happened. Very frequently ignored but......I get blood thinners, you could do damage with one month's supply!
- Elections bring opportunity for advocacy to be heard and hopefully rewarded.
- @Afraser - My chemist will allow an extra packet of meds for a $1 fee ....
I can understand them not wanting to give out serious/dangerous pain meds - but regular 'necessary' meds ....WTF?? - I'll believe it when I see it. The largesse and pork barrelling going on at the moment is absurd. Whoever gets in is quite likely to say they've seen the books and after all, can't afford to do it at the moment.
- On the other hand the pharmacies have blocked legislation that would allow 2 months of prescription meds in one visit. Here I go for a letter from my doc to justify two lots so I can go on holiday!! Not all chemists are as hardline, but technically they are supposed to refuse, without written support.
