13-September-2006
Goldstein Media Releases, Health, Funding
Veterans holding Gold cards or White cards will benefit from a $600 million funding increase announced today to ensure that veterans continue to enjoy access to high quality health care, said Andrew Robb, the Federal Member for Goldstein.
“In recent months information had emerged that some doctors were reluctant to give full credit to the Gold card, and that some specialists were unwilling to treat veterans under the Gold card system,” said Andrew Robb
“Because of this, the Government has decided to enhance the amounts paid to general practitioners, dentists, optometrists, specialists and health professionals to ensure that they are willing to give full credit to the Gold card system, and to provide veterans with high quality health care.”
“Our veterans have made, and continue to make an important contribution to Australia. They served with honour and courage, and have always made Australians proud.”
“We owe a special duty to those veterans and widows of veterans, and this $600 million funding increase is designed to ensure that the 300,000 veterans or war widows with a Gold or White card will continue to receive the highest quality, free, health care.”
“Around 70 per cent of those entitled to a Gold Care are over 75 years of age, as a result, they require not only treatment from general practitioners, but also a range of other specialists. This funding boost will ensure that our veterans will not have any problems finding specialists happy to treat them under the gold care system.”
The new fees will be effective from 1 November 2006.
Please contact the office on 9557 4644 if you have any further queries.
Media Contact: Kathryn Hodges 0409 132 567