Health a Worthy Investment

First published in The Logan Reporter on Feb 12, 2016

After almost five decades as a nurse and a midwife, my mum recently retired from the profession she loved.

Growing up with a nurse in the household, I know how hard our medical professionals work to keep us healthy and happy.

That’s one reason I believe maintaining adequate funding for hospitals, doctors and all parts of our health system is so important.

It was fantastic to see the Minister for Health and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick recently announce a further $11.4 million for eleven new beds and extra staff at the Logan Hospital.

This comes after the last federal Labor Government’s massive investment in the $145 million Logan Hospital Expansion project.

I know these projects will improve acute health outcomes for people in Logan.

Unfortunately, the Turnbull Liberal Government doesn’t share Labor’s strong record on health investment.

Just before Christmas, Malcolm Turnbull announced a further $2.1 billion in cuts to healthcare.

A lot of you have already contacted me with concerns about the $650 million in cuts to diagnostic imaging and pathology, which will make getting the tests you need more expensive.

Patients who were previously bulk-billed may have to pay up to $93 upfront for an x-ray, $396 for a CAT scan and up to $186 for an ultrasound.

The Liberals see Medicare as a source of Budget cuts, while Labor knows how important health investment is for all of us.

At this year’s election, I will fight to defend Medicare from Malcolm Turnbull’s cuts.

#health #mentalhealth #local #loganreporter