A " Scare " Campaign !

 The 2016 Federal election was won by the Liberal/National coalition, but Labor made up lost ground when it ran a scare campaign that suggerstesd cutbacks in the universal health system. There are indications that a similar strategy will again apply when we next go to the polls.

The government has plans to reform Medicaire and from July 1, more than 900 Medicare benefits will be charged across orthpedics, general surgery, cardiac surgical servceas, vascular and general practice care numbersy

These reforms come from the Medicare Benefits Taskforce final report which was prepared by a team of medical experts.  The task forces five year review was completed last year and contained 1400- recomenndations.  It was the largest audit since the system was introduced in 1964.

Labor is going hard against these reforms ansd says it will be part of the party's upcoming campagn platform..  Labor leader Anthony Albanese wrote on Twitter that Labor built Medicare and protecting it is in our DNA.   The Liberals opposed Medicare and cutting it back serves their interest.

The party gained ground in the 2016 election when it accused the Federal government of trying to sell off   Medicare.  It was obvious that Medicare was of significant concerrn to voters.

Over the years more drugs and procedures have been added to the services that Medicare provides, but little in the way of communications that alert the medical profession as to what changes are beimg consdidered.  Adding items increases the cost and it is necessary to spread the load to keep the servivce viable.

A spokesman for Health Minister  Greg Hunt said the changes were based on medical advice, including some new or extended items, and some extended rebates.  It was perfectly clear that the government had no intention of discontinuing this valuable medical service.

It is quite clear that many Labor supporters saw through the 2016 attack by then Labor leader Bill Shorten. A launch by new leader Anthony Albanese may give it some credence, but many will carefully evaluate the figures given and decide it is a replay of a failed accusation.

Given the problems many other world countries are experiencing in tryong to introduce a universal health service the Australian Medicare system gains widespread praise.  There are indications that it will evolve further as new treatments come online and for that to happen existing procedures meed constant review.

Scare campaigns ared simply a tactic of party politics!