Tim Williams CM draws attention to the Sentate testimony of the SSVDP regarding Medicare in Australia. The testimony grows out of their experience in home visits – a hallmark of the Society.VINNIES SUBMISSION TO SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON MEDICARE
January 21, 2004
CANBERRA, January 19, 2004 (vinnies.org.au): The Submission of the St Vincent de Paul National Council (Australia) to the Reappointed Senate Select Committee on Medicare (December 2003) is now available online.
The Introduction to the Submission begins “We are always concerned about growing inequality, not only with regard to income but, even more importantly, access to essential services. It is the latter which drives people into poverty and keeps them there.
With regards to health, many of the people we visit are unable to afford private health cover and are unable to keep up with the rising costs of GP visits, Specialist consultations, Diagnostic services or medications. The simple fact is that many are not able to visit a GP when they should and we all know that a visit to a GP is the point of entry to the health system.
There is no shortage of evidence to show that the poor get seriously ill and die younger than the rest of the population….”
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Tags: Advocacy
