CHILDREN and adults with serious illnesses such as juvenile diabetes, cancer and severe asthma will have access to free medicine with the Baird government to scrap co-payments for public patients should it be re-elected on Saturday. 
 
In a move set to be welcomed by doctors and health-workers, the government will absorb the $76 million being paid out by tens of thousands of patients to access highly- specialised drugs.

NSW Mike Baird will formally announce the policy during a keynote address to supporters at the NSW Liberal Party campaign launch in Recital Hall at Angel Place today.

Under the existing regimen, public patients must pay $37.70 for each script to access medication classified in the Highly Specialised Drugs category, or $6.10 concession.

The Cancer Council has been leading the push to have the co-payment scrapped, with its research showing almost half of public cancer patients live in a household with a total income of less than $30,000 after tax.

The removal of the payment will also benefit patients with hepatitis, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, psoriatic, severe allergic asthma, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis and rare diseases, particularly those affecting children such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Highly Specialised Drugs, classified as s100 HSD under the Commonwealth’s National Health Act, have been traditionally restricted to hospital pharmacies, although a growing number of community chemists have been given ­permission to dispense the medicines.

Patients will no longer be required to pay the co-payment from early in the next term of the new Baird government, including public non-­admitted patients, outpatients or day patients, inpatients on discharge and privately-referred, non-admitted patients treated in public hospitals.

Mr Baird said the scrapping of the co-payment would ease the financial burden on families fighting cancer and other serious illnesses.

“I doubt there is a family in NSW that is unaffected by cancer or other chronic illnesses,” Mr Baird said.

“Whether it is a parent, a loved one, a friend or neighbour, we all know someone who is in the fight of their life and in need of support.

“As a government, we want to offer a helping hand to assist these patients and ensure their focus is primarily on recovery and wellness, not dollars and cents.”

Labor has also pledged to remove the co-payment but only for chemotherapy patients. NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the move would make scripts free for some of the state’s most needy.

“There will be no out-of- pocket expense for public ­patients, no matter where they fill their prescription,” Mrs Skinner said.

Cancer Council policy and advocacy manager Anita Tang said treating cancer posed a major financial burden on many patients, some of whom had to leave work.

The council has been lobbying for the ­removal of the co-payment for several years, ramping up its campaign in July last year.

“Many doctors will adjust the script of a cancer patient as their treatment progresses, so a patient can end up paying up to $200 with several script changes,” she said.

“This will give them a big relief, especially those who have had to take time off work.

Arthritis NSW chief executive Jannine Jackson said thousands of patients would benefit from the abolition of the charge, many of whom ­required treatment for life.

“This is a condition that can affect people from the cradle to the grave, from babies to the elderly,” she said.

“The treatment can be expensive with the co-payment together with the gap for specialists. For someone suffering from chronic arthritis, it can add up to tens of thousands per year.”

Keelie Sammons, six, was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at 20 months.

Her mum Crystal said it was already costing the family up to $500 for injections in her joints to put the arthritis in temporary remission.

However, Ms Sammons has been warned her daughter’s condition could progressively worsen with the family needing to move on to Highly Specialised Drugs in the future.

“As the years go on, her medication will go up as she progressively gets worse, and she will need to access the specialised drugs,” she said.

“The treatment she is getting already is costing a lot.”

Hepatitis NSW chief executive officer Stuart Loveday said a major issue with hepatitis sufferers was the reluctance to seek treatment, with cost ­regarded as one of the barriers.

“We don’t know what the barrier is, but we do know drugs are expensive and so the removal of some of the out-of-pocket expenses is a really welcome initiative,” he said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/state-election-2015-liberals-unveil-plan-for-no-gap-drugs-for-the-chronically-ill/story-fnpn118l-1227272874000

Voters have a clear choice. Vote for the Coalition and people with hepatitis, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, psoriatic, severe allergic asthma, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis and rare diseases, particularly those affecting children such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis will have access to free medicine. Vote for Labor, and the only people who will qualify are chemotherapy patients. Huge difference - it really is a no-brainer. Vote Liberal or National if you want access to free medication for your children and loved ones.

Free medication paid by the tooth fairy?


Or the electricity sell off ... that will cost people dearly?

____ wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 6:42am:

Free medication paid by the tooth fairy?

You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 6:43am:

____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D

Then who pays for the medication einstein ?

or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication.

____ wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 6:54am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication.

Ummm, the tooth fairy, according to you!  ;D ;D ;D

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 6:59am:

____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:54am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication. Ummm, the tooth fairy, according to you!  ;D ;D ;D

And no one by you. It's free because the DT told you so.

In the article it said the government is paying ... how?

What is being cut back to fund this?

____ wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 7:03am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:59am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:54am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication. Ummm, the tooth fairy, according to you!  ;D ;D ;D And no one by you. It's free because the DT told you so. In the article it said the government is paying ... how? What is being cut back to fund this?

Quote:

“There will be no out-of- pocket expense for public ­patients, no matter where they fill their prescription,” Mrs Skinner said.

So Jilllian Skinner works for the DT now???

Suck it up GW!!! The Coalition have good policies, while the Greens have, well... er, rubbish.  :D :D :D

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 7:05am:

____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:03am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:59am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:54am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication. Ummm, the tooth fairy, according to you!  ;D ;D ;D And no one by you. It's free because the DT told you so. In the article it said the government is paying ... how? What is being cut back to fund this? Quote: “There will be no out-of- pocket expense for public ­patients, no matter where they fill their prescription,” Mrs Skinner said. So Jilllian Skinner works for the DT now???

How is this being paid for?

____ wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 7:12am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:05am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:03am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:59am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:54am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication. Ummm, the tooth fairy, according to you!  ;D ;D ;D And no one by you. It's free because the DT told you so. In the article it said the government is paying ... how? What is being cut back to fund this? Quote: “There will be no out-of- pocket expense for public ­patients, no matter where they fill their prescription,” Mrs Skinner said. So Jilllian Skinner works for the DT now??? How is this being paid for?

Yes or no - is this a good policy?

Poll added. Simple question: do you think this is a good policy or not?

this will end up being one of those broken promises the libs are renowned for.

Mr Baird has been promising to spend money left right and center ... he's got so much to spare :D :D :D

Privatisation not playingwell in voterland?

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 7:16am:

____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:12am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:05am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:03am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:59am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:54am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication. Ummm, the tooth fairy, according to you!  ;D ;D ;D And no one by you. It's free because the DT told you so. In the article it said the government is paying ... how? What is being cut back to fund this? Quote: “There will be no out-of- pocket expense for public ­patients, no matter where they fill their prescription,” Mrs Skinner said. So Jilllian Skinner works for the DT now??? How is this being paid for? Yes or no - is this a good policy?

Depends.

How is it being funded.

Who will be sacked ... or what will be privatised so to fund something that should already be free.

____ wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 7:41am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:16am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:12am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:05am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 7:03am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:59am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:54am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication. Ummm, the tooth fairy, according to you!  ;D ;D ;D And no one by you. It's free because the DT told you so. In the article it said the government is paying ... how? What is being cut back to fund this? Quote: “There will be no out-of- pocket expense for public ­patients, no matter where they fill their prescription,” Mrs Skinner said. So Jilllian Skinner works for the DT now??? How is this being paid for? Yes or no - is this a good policy? Depends. How is it being funded. Who will be sacked ... or what will be privatised so to fund something that should already be free.

Forget about that - do you believe people should have free access to lifesaving medication? Yes or no?

Come on GW - it's a simple question, even for someone with a low IQ such as yourself! Should people requiring life saving medication have free access to it?

Coalition: free lifesaving medication for all!

How does this sit with the coalitions user pays ideology? now they want to give the medicine for free, but charge you to go to the doctors ...

they sound confused to me  :D :D

John Smith wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 2:51pm:

Coalition: free lifesaving medication for all! How does this sit with the coalitions user pays ideology? now they want to give the medicine for free, but charge you to go to the doctors ... they sound confused to me  :D :D

Until life saving medication is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper, I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with this policy. What price can you put on saving a person's life? YOU go down to the local paediatric oncology ward and tell the parents their children can't have the medication they need unless THEY pay for it.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 1:03pm:

Come on GW - it's a simple question, even for someone with a low IQ such as yourself! Should people requiring life saving medication have free access to it?

GW is running scared. What a coward. ;D ;D ;D

____ wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 6:54am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication.

NOW YOU WANT TO ASK 'WHO PAYS FOR IT'???  you are the very last person who should ask how policies are paid for since your idiotic Greens routinely promote utterly unaffordable schemes like 'land rights for gay whales'

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 1:03pm:

Come on GW - it's a simple question, even for someone with a low IQ such as yourself! Should people requiring life saving medication have free access to it?

Homeless people should have housing ... will the cons make homes free.

Hungry people should have food. Will cons make food free.

Come on commie conservative ... who's paying for theses election promises post the election?

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 7:24pm:

John Smith wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 2:51pm: Coalition: free lifesaving medication for all! How does this sit with the coalitions user pays ideology? now they want to give the medicine for free, but charge you to go to the doctors ... they sound confused to me  :D :D Until life saving medication is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper, I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with this policy. What price can you put on saving a person's life? YOU go down to the local paediatric oncology ward and tell the parents their children can't have the medication they need unless THEY pay for it.

of course you don't have a problem, it's a liberal policy ..never mind the fact that they have no idea what they are doing.

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 7:35pm:

____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:54am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:43am: ____ wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 6:42am: Free medication paid by the tooth fairy? You still believe in the tooth fairy? Loser!  ;D ;D ;D Then who pays for the medication einstein ? or are they to hand out placebo sugar lollies they stole off kids, and pretend it's medication. NOW YOU WANT TO ASK 'WHO PAYS FOR IT'???  you are the very last person who should ask how policies are paid for since your idiotic Greens routinely promote utterly unaffordable schemes like 'land rights for gay whales'

Look over there, look over there

... meanwhile cons can't answer the basic question, how is this being funded?.

obviously leasing 49% of the electricity assets will fund it

Classic Liberal wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 8:03pm:

obviously leasing 49% of the electricity assets will fund it

NSW election 2015: Electricity privatisation plan could worsen state's budget position, economist John Quiggin says

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-16/electricity-sell-off-could-worsen-nsw-budget-economist/6323930


and isn't selling off the poles and wires going to fund toll roads or something.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 1:03pm:

Come on GW - it's a simple question, even for someone with a low IQ such as yourself! Should people requiring life saving medication have free access to it?

The Liberals have a history of making election promises that they can not deliver, it is valid to ask how it will be funded.

Classic Liberal wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 8:03pm:

obviously leasing 49% of the electricity assets will fund it

Maybe in 2015 what about in 2018 when the money is all gone ?

Dnarever wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 8:36pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 1:03pm: Come on GW - it's a simple question, even for someone with a low IQ such as yourself! Should people requiring life saving medication have free access to it? The Liberals have a history of making election promises that they can not deliver, it is valid to ask how it will be funded.

Don't ask me - I'm not Baird. I'm just asking if GW thinks it's a good policy, period. Clearly, he's too ashamed of his party to answer the question. As are you.

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 7:35pm:

NOW YOU WANT TO ASK 'WHO PAYS FOR IT'???  you are the very last person who should ask how policies are paid for since your idiotic Greens routinely promote utterly unaffordable schemes like 'land rights for gay whales'

Jesus God, man - you are my poltergeist!  'land rights for gay whaqles' is one of my trademarks....

Apart from that:-

Generalisation of the Weeeeeeeek

http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad229/StriderZX_bucket/Emoticons/direttore_d_orchestra_anim-thumb_zps7a5244ae.gif http://smileys.emoticonsonly.com/emoticons/s/smiley_choir-1256.gif http://eye-candi.net/emoticons/000aaaemotes/singing.gif http://smileys.emoticonsonly.com/emoticons/s/smiley_choir-1256.gif http://www.web-smilie.de/smilies/party_smilies/09.gif

You're pathetic, you leftards. A policy that will save lives and you can't even get behind it simply because it's not a Labor or Greens policy. Utterly pathetic. NO wonder the country went down the sh!thole during Labor's 6 years in Canberra.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 23^rd, 2015 at 7:01am:

You're pathetic, you leftards. A policy that will save lives and you can't even get behind it simply because it's not a Labor or Greens policy. Utterly pathetic. NO wonder the country went down the sh!thole during Labor's 6 years in Canberra.

phh blow it out of your arse ... you weren't worried about the co payment risking lives, don't pretend to care now.

John Smith wrote on Mar 23^rd, 2015 at 8:06am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 23rd, 2015 at 7:01am: You're pathetic, you leftards. A policy that will save lives and you can't even get behind it simply because it's not a Labor or Greens policy. Utterly pathetic. NO wonder the country went down the sh!thole during Labor's 6 years in Canberra. phh blow it out of your arse ... you weren't worried about the co payment risking lives, don't pretend to care now.

How was it risking lives?

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2015 at 9:14pm:

Dnarever wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 8:36pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 1:03pm: Come on GW - it's a simple question, even for someone with a low IQ such as yourself! Should people requiring life saving medication have free access to it? The Liberals have a history of making election promises that they can not deliver, it is valid to ask how it will be funded. Don't ask me - I'm not Baird. I'm just asking if GW thinks it's a good policy, period. Clearly, he's too ashamed of his party to answer the question. As are you.

With only half the information, how can that be decided.

How did you decided when you don't know what cut backs will be made to fund this.

____ wrote on Mar 23^rd, 2015 at 9:07am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 9:14pm: Dnarever wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 8:36pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 22nd, 2015 at 1:03pm: Come on GW - it's a simple question, even for someone with a low IQ such as yourself! Should people requiring life saving medication have free access to it? The Liberals have a history of making election promises that they can not deliver, it is valid to ask how it will be funded. Don't ask me - I'm not Baird. I'm just asking if GW thinks it's a good policy, period. Clearly, he's too ashamed of his party to answer the question. As are you. With only half the information, how can that be decided. How did you decided when you don't know what cut backs will be made to fund this.

I'm not asking about that. I'm asking if you think that lifesaving medication should be made freely available to those who need it. Simple question, so why keep dodging it?

Dear Armie,

Every once in a while you actually come up with a reasonable idea and concept.. the problem begins when you start to apply the calculated spin of the 'right' to it, thus demonstrating that either you are in their employ or are simply deluded into the belief that they are never wrong.

Neither of these helps your causes.

Your sincerely,

Professor Grappler, Ph.D (Emeritus), BA (Terrorism), DCM, MC.
Dean of Studies Ardknox College (honorary), Chancellor Grappler University (Free).

Lifesaving medication should be available to the needy.  I had a cousin, lovely lady, who died of the dreaded BC, and could not get a medication because it was too expensive.

Like all commodities, the price of such things comes down with increased usage, and thus there is room for negotiating a bulk price in advance in order to secure market place for the supplier(s), once a medication has been clearly defined as having a positive effect.