CATARACT SUFFERERS - RELIEF FELT LOCALLY
Many residents of the Berowra electorate breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Rudd Government finally announced its back-down on imposing extra costs for cataract surgery. ‘Cataract sufferers will now no longer be left with hundreds of dollars extra costs when they undergo surgery”, local MP Philip Ruddock stated.
Mr Ruddock said the Opposition supported by crossbench Senators had forced the back down. ‘The Medicare rebates for cataract surgery were to have been reduced by a staggering 51%, ‘but after negotiations with ophthalmologists the rebates will be reduced by just 12% with many leading doctors saying it is likely most practitioners will endeavour to absorb the cost.’
The rebate reductions were first outlined in last year’s federal Budget and, despite opposition by the Coalition, pensioner groups and doctors, the rebates paid to patients dripped from just over $600 to around $300. ‘Many constituents contacted my office during the period of uncertainty to express their alarm about the cuts. The Coalition twice disallowed them in the Senate before the Government finally saw sense and began negotiations with specialists who carry out this valuable surgery.’‘This is what should have happened at the outset.’
Mr Ruddock said his office had been contacted by many local residents concerned for their personal well-being.‘ One chap who lives in Hornsby told me he had already had one eye operated on but, because his costs had gone up, he would have to postpone having his second eye done. It’s a great shame that the Federal Government was prepared to add to his worries as they did.’
5th February 2010