Workers will protest in support of Medicare outside Senator Eric Abetzs Hobart office at lunchtime today ahead of a raft of planned cuts to Medicare rebates due to begin on 1 July.

The Morrison Government is set to overhaul the Medicare rebate system, with over 900 amendments to the Medicare Benefits Schedule that will change how Medicare funds certain health services like orthopaedics, general surgery, cardiac surgical services, vascular, general practice, and primary care.

Doctors have already warned these changes will increase out of pocket costs hundreds of dollars for some common procedures and up to $10,000 for rarer conditions.

Workers are really worried about these changes and dont trust the Liberal Government with health, said Unions Tasmania Secretary, Jessica Munday. This is the same Government that has bungled the vaccine rollout and that has constantly attacked Medicare, from threatening to introduce a GP co-payment to freezing the Medicare GP rebate.

Workers have seen years of stagnant wage growth and they cant afford higher health costs. Union members fought for our universal healthcare system and we will always defend it.

Despite being bumped to the third spot on their Senate ticket for the upcoming Federal Election whenever that might be Senator Abetz is still the most senior Liberal in Tasmania. We want him to know how important protecting Medicare is to Tasmanian workers who are already doing it tough, said Ms Munday.

WHEN: Today, 30 June 2021
WHERE: Senator Eric Abetzs office, 136 Davey Street, Hobart
TIME: 12:30pm

For further information contact Jessica Munday on 0417 454 809

Media Release - Workers to protest in support of Medicare ahead of planned cuts 300621.pdf