Dear Supporters,
Most of you will have heard the devastating news that the Federal Government is limiting access to Medicare psychology services to 10 sessions per calendar year. Our petition to retain access to 20 psychology sessions for those in need received over 30,000 signatures. National bodies representing psychologists and mental health consumers, along with many individual psychologists, consumers, and politicians, have advocated strongly and extensively for these items to be retained. An extensive evaluation of the Better Access program by the University of Melbourne, released on 12 December, recommended that the additional 10 sessions be retained. However, on 12 December, the current Minister for Health, The Hon. Mark Butler, announced that the Australian Government will not be extending the additional 10 Medicare sessions beyond 31 December 2022.
The Health Minister’s Press Release and the Better Access Evaluation Report can be accessed here: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/minister-for-health-and-aged-care-press-conference-12-december-2022
Response to the Government’s Decision
This decision has been strongly criticised by consumer groups, peak psychology professional bodies, and politicians. In an ABC News article, Suicide Prevention Australia chief executive Nieves Murray said she feared the changes would prevent people seeking help. "The decision to remove extra mental health supports at a time when interest rates are rising, housing pressure is growing and distress is high is baffling and very concerning," she said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-12/psychologists-visits-rebates-mark-butler-covid/101760994
We need as many people as possible to email their local Member of Parliament and/or the Health Minister - minister.butler@health.gov.au
Please share your stories and let them know that we are all shocked and appalled that a Labor government would engineer a policy that will ensure that only the wealthy can now access evidence-based psychological therapy, which we know in many cases requires much more than 10 sessions.
To find out how to contact your local MP, see: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Guidelines_for_Contacting_Senators_and_Members
A direct petition to the Australian Parliamentary has now been established. The petition states “Ten sessions are not enough for someone living with mental health issues. Australian research has found that to obtain improved outcomes, 70% of clients required over 20 sessions of therapy (Harnett et al, 2010). The 20 session program costs just over 1% of the total spend per annum on mental health-related services, and the Productivity Commission has also found that small and targeted investment would improve the federal budget through cost savings of $18bn per year in forgone health, social and judicial expenses. All Australians deserve access to affordable mental health care.”
Please add your signature: https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN4643?fbclid=IwAR3CIbG4nlYJ2SMb66Nxqo1N3G1YepewvnKwTFAZZK8xI-YpkHQHSsWzDG4