Loss of Medicare booths will cost communities
03-May-2011
With all of the remaining 840 remote Medicare booths set to be phased out over the next three years, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has reinstated his call for the Minister for Community Services to reconsider this “reckless decision”.
Medicare Australia Access Points (MAAPs) allow access to basic claiming for regional and remote communities and are often located in local pharmacies, post offices, some general stores and rural transaction centres.
Mr Coulton is concerned by the announcement that all the MAAPs will be removed over the next three years, and states that the decision will disadvantage the unwell and elderly in these communities.
“With closures already occurring in Gulargambone, Coonamble and Lake Cargelligo, communities in my electorate are already being disadvantaged. Medicare Australia has failed to consult with the public on this matter, and has failed to provide a viable alternative for people in these communities to claim.”
“They are forcing people to use their services online, which for many elderly people is impossible. Not only can they not afford internet services with the skyrocketing cost of living, many do not have the skills to navigate to the website.”
“Medicare Australia is clearly not considering these communities and the affects the closure of these booths will have not only on the individuals who use the booth, but also the places these booths are located such as the local rural transaction centres.”
Mr Coulton says he has been contacted by the Gulargambone Rural Transaction Centre who have recently lost their Medicare booth and now the Centrelink service hours have been reduced from 7.5 hours a week to 5 hours a week.
“The Gulargambone RTC is a self-funding organisation with a volunteer management committee. The funds they receive from hosting the Medicare booth and the Centrelink office are vital in keeping the RTC doors open.”