Access to Public Hospitals is a vital and fundamental Human Right. 

Health Direct, a government run organisation, states that one of the seven Human Rights in relation to Health Care, is access, "You have the right to healthcare services and treatments that meets your needs." https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/your-healthcare-rights

Currently, there are zero Public Hospitals that lie within the Free Tram Zone of Melbourne. The Royal Melbourne Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, lie just outside the Free Tram Zone by one or two stops. This petition aims to raise awareness of this issue and pushes to extend the Free Tram Zone of Melbourne to encompass at least one of these hospitals.

I volunteer with vulnerable people who have been impacted by poverty and homelessness,  I recall an individual who required urgent health care from a hospital, yet was unable to get themselves there, due to not having the money required for a Myki card + fare. We did everything we could to ensure they would be able to have access, such as purchasing a Myki card + fare for the individual and giving them the phone number of the nurse on site. We don't know if this individual ever made it to the hospital, as they said their anxiety from catching public transport was so strong, due to previous experiences with Authorised Officers who wait outside of both of these hospitals, preying on sick, grieving and often times vulnerable people who have recently left the hospital and may not have the monies to return home. 

It is a great shame, that vulnerable people, students, disabled people, minorities or people on low or no incomes, cannot access any public hospitals without paying. 

Please consider signing this petition and writing to both Public Transport Victoria, Metro Trains Melbourne and your Local MP. Access to Health Care is a Human Right, unfortunately only afforded to those who can pay for it.