Veterans and Their Families are Being Denied Timely Access to Essential Healthcare.
MEDIA RELEASE
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) warns that the growing barriers veterans and their families face in accessing timely healthcare, exacerbated by a widening gap between inadequate DVA fees and the actual cost of services that deters essential healthcare providers, must be urgently addressed by the next government.
This is one of the five key policy asks the RSL has presented to all parties and candidates contesting the current federal election.
RSL National President Greg Melick says results from a survey of RSL members show many veterans struggle to access necessary primary and specialist care, further exacerbating their health issues and burdening families.
“Access to health care is not too much to ask. Our veterans and their families have sacrificed much in the service of our nation. But many are putting off seeing a doctor or accessing other health services because of increasing out-of-pocket costs, or bureaucratic red tape,” Greg Melick said.
“Despite some improvements in the 2024/25 Budget, the current Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) fee schedule paid for medical services does not reflect contemporary healthcare costs.
“The widening gap between DVA fees and the actual cost of service provision is an increasing disincentive for health care providers to service veterans. The issue appears to be particularly problematic for psychiatrists and physiotherapists, many of whom have shared that they are limiting their offerings to veterans because of the gap in DVA renumeration.
“This is unacceptable and demands an urgent review uplift of the DVA fee schedule for healthcare providers.”
Other areas in which healthcare must be improved for veterans include expanding non-liability healthcare for mental health conditions to reservists, a commitment to permanently fund Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT) and recognising the unique health care needs of women and fully support the implementation of a comprehensive Women Veterans’ Strategy.
“While recognising that some advancements have been made, the barriers and challenges to accessing timely health care for veterans and their families still exist and the RSL is asking all political parties to commit to removing them,” Greg Melick said.
2025 Federal Election Asks
Investing in our veterans - RSL’s Five Priority requests to candidates
As Australians prepare to go to the polls on 3 May 2025, the RSL is calling on all candidates and parties to demonstrate a shared commitment to the health and wellbeing of our veterans.
This document has been sent to political parties asking them to commit their support to these five key priority areas that will make a difference in the lives of our current and former serving ADF personnel and their families.
