By Parker McKenzie
Federal MP for Casey Aaron Violi has decried the federal government’s decision to decrease the amount of medicare-subsidised psychology sessions from 20 to 10, returning the available sessions to pre-covid pandemic levels.
On Monday 12 December, Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler announced the Australian government will not be extending the temporary additional 10 sessions beyond the expiration date of 31 December 2022.
“The report shows Better Access is failing some Australians. Gap fees and wait times make it inaccessible and unaffordable for too many. The most disadvantaged Australians – those among us with the greatest need – have the least access to mental health services,” he said in a statement.
“The findings of the Better Access evaluation have provided us with an opportunity to address a variety of concerns so all Australians — no matter where they live or what their circumstances — can get the mental health care and support they need.”
The Department of Health and Aged Care said in a statement that an independent evaluation by the University of Melbourne concluded while the scheme had positive outcomes for those accessing the sessions, “it is serving some groups better than others, and these gaps are widening.”
“The evaluation considered the temporary COVID-19 measure to subsidise an additional 10 sessions under Better Access. In 2021, Australians used 5 sessions on average, with 83 per cent of people using 10 or fewer sessions,” the statement said.
“In 2022 to date, less than half of those of low socioeconomic status were able to access treatment including the additional 10 sessions.”
The Better Access scheme was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic by the previous Coalition government and gives medicare rebates to eligible people for mental health services.
Mr Violi said the changes are particularly worrying for the community because “Casey has become a desert for mental health support.”
“First the Albanese Labor Government failed to fund the future of the Lilydale Youth Hub, and now they are slashing access to psychologist visits for Australians who are struggling,” he said.
“Access to mental health support is critical right now, particularly for young people in my electorate, and this decision in the midst of the holiday season is devastating.”
