Help us protect Medicare

First published in the Logan Reporter on 8 April 2016

In recent weeks at train stations and bus stops, corner stores and markets, and on door steps, it seems most people want to talk about health, hospitals and the future of Medicare.

People are very worried about Malcolm Turnbull's cuts to Medicare and the prospect of more to come.

This government has frozen Medicare rebates, ripping $1.3 billion out over the next four years, pushing up the fees many doctors will need to charge.

They've cut $650 million from Medicare rebates for pathology and imaging, raising costs of vital diagnostics like x-rays and CT scans.

Now they refuse to rule out axing the Child Dental Benefits Scheme which benefits thousands of kids in our community.

All of this comes on top of the devastating cuts to hospitals, which leaves Queensland hospitals $11.8 billion worse off over the coming decade.

At the same time, private health insurance premiums are going through the roof.

The sad fact is that people will wait longer for hospital beds and face longer delays in emergency departments as a result of the Liberals' cuts.

The choice at this election will be between Labor's commitment to decent health services or more LNP cuts to Medicare and hospitals.

Only Labor believes in Medicare and only Labor believes in keeping our public hospitals strong.

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