****If you have regular hormone tests & and tests for fertility problems PLEASE READ

[Allegra]

While having more blood tests today I was given some information that made me quite mad. If you have regular blood tests for hormone levels PLEASE READ --

(Information taken from Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology)

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CUTS REBATES FOR PATHOLOGY TESTS

In a surprise announcement - hidden in the small print of the 2008 Budget - The Federal Government from 1 July 2008 will cut the number of tests that patients have previously been paid for. Many of these are common tests that each and every one of us may have to have - some of us need them on a regular basis.

The cuts are breaking an on-going funding agreement signed in 2004 between all pathology companies and the Coalition, and agreed to by the Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard.


WHO WILL BE AFFECTED?


Anyone who has a long-term illness



Those with diabetes



Women who need hormone tests or who have fertility problems



Those who are, or could be, HIV positive



People whose doctor thinks they might have an infectious disease like glandular fever or Ross River fever - even the flu



People who live in regional areas - their test collection rebates will be cut.


THIS UNPRECEDENTED FEE CUT PUTS YOUR HEALTHCARE AT RISK!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Send your objection by email to the following

The Federal Health Minister
Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health & Ageing
Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au

The Federal Treasurer
Hon Wayne Swan MP
ministerial@treasury.gov.au


Sample email (from SNP)

RE: Objection to the Federal Government's May 2008 Budget cuts to Pathology Rebates

I wish to lodge in the strongest possible terms my objection to the cuts the Medicare rebates for pathology tests as announced in the May 2008 federal budget.

I will be adversely affected by the cuts to the Medicare rebates as I may now have to:


find extra money out of my house-hold budget for health care
travel further to have my blood collected
face longer waiting times to have my blood collected for tests
wait longer for test results

I ask that the decision to cut Medicare rebates for pathology testing be reversed so that I am not financially disadvantaged and my healthcare is not compromised

Yours sincerely



Visit SNP website (http://www.snp.com.au/gov/cuts.asp) for more information


I understand that budget cuts need to be made but I WILL NEVER agree with cuts to health or (education)

Thanks for reading

ang

[ringneck]

Jesus what is the world coming to i have sent an email of complaint thanks for the heads up Allegra both my partner and i have autoimmune diseases so will be affected by the cuts.

[Leeny]

Isn't it nice when they kick people when they're already down..

[Jender]

So much for "working families" and their issues. This sort of cut from a government that handed over $75 million to a car company to make a car in Australia which was ALREADY going to be made here. So much for a LABOR Government. Its the sort of sneaky trick, Rudd and co spent a lot of time accusing the H Govt of.

Humph

[lucysummers]

Yep - we've been informed this week that our tracking cycles will now cost $150 per cycle whereas previosly it was all bulk billed. :no: I was wondering why the change!

Thanks for this - will send an email.

[KatiesMum]

When I did tracking cycles before having DD (so in mid 2005) it was 100% bulk billed, so $0 out of pocket

When I did tracking cycles in late 2007 (Sept Oct + Nov) it was $100 per cycle 'admin fee' but the actual tests were covered by medicare (but I had to pay extra if on a Sunday) ... all up cost me about $450.00.

If paying for the tests as well the cost will more than likely be over $1000 for 3 tracking cycles.

Imagine the costs for the poor women doing IVF who have blood tests and scans all the time. This too will go up dramatically.

:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: