The federal government is facing growing calls from mental health experts, the Greens, the Coalition and its own backbench to reverse its decision to slash the number of Medicare-funded psychologist appointments, with Health Minister Mark Butler accused of displaying a bias against the program for more than a decade.
The move to cut the sessions has been backed by some mental health experts but criticised by others, including the nation’s peak psychologist group. The Medicare subsidy provides a $131.65 rebate for a 50-minute session with a clinical psychologist and an $89.65 rebate for a psychologist. Labor backbench MP Josh Burns said last week that while there were challenges in managing access to services, “the answer is not to reduce support for those who need it”.
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'System not fit for purpose'; Fears over mental health after subsidised sessions slashed'There will be weeks where I will have to assess what is more important- being timely on bills, being able to eat substantial meals or being able to afford mental health help and that scares me'. 9News That’s Albo for you..Didn’t mention this prior to Election. A party of lies and Deception dragging Australia into a 3rd World Country...notmypm As a psychologist, I have already run through my case load highlighting those clients who have NOT accessed hospital support due to the extra sessions and those who likely will AGAIN now due to the slash back to ten sessions. So unnecessary. So shortsighted. From the hands of labor pumping up the cost of living and now cutting Medicare
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »