That’s the analysis of pre-budget Medicare leaks by the Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association (ADIA) which shows the Government has failed in its promise to guarantee the essential healthcare services Australians need.
"This Government is failing Medicare and it is failing patients – period.
"The Treasurer has made a big show over the past few days of saying that this budget will "guarantee the essential services Australians need".
"Tell that to patients who are dealing with record gaps for the vital x-rays and scans they need for the diagnosis and treatment of critical illnesses like cancer.
"Tell that to the 300,000 Australians who are ripping up their radiology referrals every year because they can’t afford it.
"The verdict is damning – this budget will be a fail for the nine million Australians who need radiology every year and who are now bearing the burden of a Medicare system that’s become a case of the haves versus the have nots."
ADIA represents radiology practices throughout Australia, both in the community and in hospitals. It promotes the ongoing development of quality accreditation standards and appropriate funding settings so that Australians can have affordable access to quality radiology services. This supports radiology’s central role in the diagnosis, treatment and management of a broad range of conditions in every branch of medicine.
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