Cataract rebate cut to hurt pensioners, not veterans

“Fee-free access to cataract surgery will remain available to veterans, but pensioners and others on low incomes will have to pay hundreds of dollars extra for their treatment,” said Antoine Mangion, CPSA Policy/Research Officer.

“One has to wonder what makes a procedure on a veteran so special as to warrant maintaining the current rebate if the Government finds it so justifiable to slash the rebate for others, especially pensioners.”

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision impairment in Australia and some 130,000 people a year undergo cataract surgery. Over 98 per cent of patients return to normal vision after surgery, significantly improving their quality of life.

“For procedures conducted on pensioners and others on low incomes, especially in rural and regional areas, surgeons generally charge the amount of the current Medicare rebate of $623.70. The 50 per cent cut in the rebate means the difference will have to be made up by the patient. In many regional and rural areas, it will leave the community without access to cataract surgery.”

“The Government argues that this cut will prevent surgeons from rorting the system by charging excessive fees. However, the rebate cut will do far more than clamp down on a few rogues. It will prevent many surgeons from carrying out cataract surgery and result in potentially thousands of people on low incomes losing their eyesight.”

“The Government will then find that the $300 saved will go towards providing support and care for people with impaired vision as a result of not having cataract surgery. The rebate cut is simply a punitive and short-sighted measure that will have no social or economic benefit to the Government and the Australian community.”

“CPSA calls on the Australian Government to reverse its decision to slash the rebate for cataract surgery, so that thousands of Australians are not left without the opportunity to see again.”

Contact: Antoine Mangion Mobile: 0410 257 965

Media contact: 0410 612 182

Charmaine Crowe
Policy Coordinator
Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA)
Level 9, 28 Foveaux Street Surry Hills NSW, 2010
Phone (02) 9281 3588
Mob 0410 612 182
Fax (02) 9281 9716