CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Dr HAINES (Indi) (09:30): No veteran should have to fight their own government to access the health care that they've already earned. But veterans in my electorate, and across the country, are deeply concerned about the government's proposed $5,000 cap on Department of Veterans' Affairs allied health services. Allied health care is a crucial part of their recovery, rehabilitation, long-term health and wellbeing.
In this year's budget, the government committed to increasing provider fees for veterans allied health services. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide identified low DVA fees as a barrier to veterans accessing care, and I really welcome action to address that. Unfortunately, though, the government is fixing one problem while potentially creating another.
Alongside the fee increase, the government is introducing a $5,000 annual spending cap on allied health services. The cap replaces the existing 12-session treatment cycle. Many veterans will appreciate not having to get multiple referrals for chronic and lifelong conditions.
But, for too many veterans, $5,000 will simply not cover everything they require. The government has confirmed that there will be a mechanism to spend more than $5,000 where there is valid clinical need. They've described the cap as a 'threshold for review', but the problem here is that we've got no clarity about what that means.
Who will decide whether someone's medical needs are valid and on what basis? How long will it take? What information will be required?
How much additional paperwork will this create for veterans and their healthcare providers? It's understandably causing significant concern for veterans who rely on allied health treatment to stay well. My electorate of Indi is home to more than 5,000 current or former Defence Force members, including Major Geoff Robinson, who recently retired in Wodonga after 43 years of service.
Major Robinson put it to me very clearly: For veterans living with chronic pain, traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress, allied health is essential treatment, not a discretionary benefit. Veterans should not have to jump through hoops in order to access the treatment they need and are entitled to. If the government are not willing to scrap the cap, at the very least they must consider raising the threshold to a more appropriate amount and they must guarantee a quick and simple review process with no interruptions to ongoing care.
Consultation on the changes is about to commence, and I urge DVA to work constructively and collaboratively with veterans, their families, their communities and allied health professionals. Major Robinson said: I believed that when the country asked us to serve, it would stand behind us in return. I don't think he was wrong.
In Australia, we're proud to look after those who fought for us, and I call on the government to uphold that commitment.