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Nationals express anger over 15% cuts to some crucial preventative health programs by Andrews Labor government

Andrews government cut up to 15 percent from preventative health programs, blindsiding Community Health service providers. Nationals MPs criticise the reckless move, risking access to vital health services for regional Victorians.

By news@gippsland - 17th April 2023 - Back to News

Community health services delivering preventative health programs have been savagely cut by the Andrews government. The news of cuts to critical health funding was dumped late on Friday, completely blindsiding Community Health service providers in regional Victoria. Up to 15 per cent will be cut from Victorian preventative health programs by the Andrews government which involves critical programs that address chronic disease and contributing factors including smoking, vaping, disability inclusion, unhealthy eating, and physical inactivity.

Community health service providers are shocked to learn that funding for grassroots preventative health services is being severely cut by the Labor government, just weeks before state budget week

Criticism over funding cuts

Nationals MP's have taken aim at the Premier labelling Labor's community health funding cuts a shocking indictment on the Andrews government. The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said the Andrews government's cuts are reckless given ballooning hospital surgery waitlists and the blow out in demand for beds.

"It's completely outrageous for Labor to cut programs which prevent Victorians from needing to go to hospital. Rather than cutting his own department of Premier and Cabinet spin doctors, Daniel Andrews is prepared to cut our community health service. The Premier ran his entire 2022 election campaign stating - "you cut services, people suffer", "every Labor MP's should be ashamed of this reckless decision to cut preventative health measures," Mr Bull said.

Access to health services will become increasingly difficult for regional Victorians who rely on community health services. The health programs impacted by Labor's cuts are all long term programs, widely recognised for their ability to prevent disease.

Counterproductive health cuts

Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron said he was incredibly concerned about the future impact Labor's cuts to community health services will have in the Latrobe Valley. "By the government's own admission, people living in Latrobe Valley have much poorer health outcomes than other Victorians."

"Slashing funding for preventative grassroots health programs is counterproductive and short sighted. More services are needed to prevent hospitalisation and improve the health and wellbeing of our population, not less - Labor's decision is a false economy. It's unfathomable Daniel Andrews has chosen a cost saving measure that will directly increase pressure on our struggling hospitals," said Mr Cameron.

Labor's excessive spending

Ms Bath said if Labor is cutting preventative health funding, it makes you wonder what other essential programs will now be under threat in the upcoming May state budget. "In the past eight years Daniel Andrews has wasted $1 Billion on external consultants and mismanaged projects which has resulted in a $30.7 billion budget blow out."

"The Nationals are calling on the Premier to reverse Labor's funding cuts to community health - it's the wrong time, the wrong service, and the wrong cut," Ms Bath said.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com