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Albanese Labor government rips away Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions affecting Gippsland and Australia

Labor government ripping away mental health support.

By news@gippsland - 14th December 2022 - Back to News

The Albanese Labor government's announcement that they are cutting the additional Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions introduced by the Coalition has ripped away mental health support for vulnerable Australians in Monash. As part of our response to support Australians in tough times, the former Coalition government doubled the number of Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions available through the Better Access initiative from 10 to 20.

Access to mental health support is critical right now, particularly for young people in Monash, and this decision in the midst of the holiday season is devastating

Need for psychology sessions

Going into the holiday period with a new Covid wave peaking, the cost of living and energy bills skyrocketing, and floods continuing to impact parts of the country, mental health support could not be more important for my local community in Monash. But despite the significant pressures still impacting our community, the Labor government has decided to slash access to psychology sessions in half.

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston said, "It is staggering that the Albanese government has decided right now is a good time to rip away additional mental health support from Australians who have been relying on it."

"Serious mental health issues are often at their highest two to three years after a crisis, pandemic or natural disaster, which is why it is absolutely vital that vulnerable Australians have continued access to the psychology sessions they need." Senator Ruston said.

Wrong timing for budget cuts

Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Melissa McIntosh MP said, "We know the holiday season can be a challenging time for people's mental health and when they need support the most, the government has proven they are not willing to provide that support. Sadly, the government is sending us down the track of mental health services becoming less and less accessible to millions of Australians," Mrs McIntosh said.

"Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent MP said, "these changes are particularly worrying for my local community and I urge the Labor government to re-think this decision. Access to mental health support is critical right now, particularly for young people in my electorate, and this decision in the midst of the holiday season is devastating. We are already facing difficulties with mental health caused by the Covid pandemic. This is the wrong time to be making these cuts," Mr Broadbent said.

Gone against recommendations

To rub salt into the wounds of vulnerable Australians, the Minister for Health Mark Butler has even tried to argue that in making this thoughtless cut, they are 'improving better access' to mental health services.

The independent evaluation of the Better Access initiative has even recommended that 'the additional 10 sessions should continue to be made available and should be targeted towards those with complex mental health needs.'

The Labor government needs to stop their irresponsible attacks on the mental health services Australians are relying on and explain why they have gone against Recommendation 12 of the review, and the needs of vulnerable Australians, by cutting this support.

Pictures of Russell Broadbent MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com