$600M PACKAGE TO FURTHER BOOST VETERANS’ HEALTH CARE

Veterans holding a Gold or White card will benefit from a $600 million funding boost from the Australian Government to ensure that veterans continue to enjoy access to free high quality health care, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Bruce Billson announced today at the RSL National Congress in Perth.

Mr Billson said the package was a strong demonstration of the Australian Government’s continued commitment to recognising the service and health needs of veterans and war widows.

The Government has worked closely with health practitioners and the ex-services community in developing the package.

“It is important that our nation’s special duty to those who were sent into harms way, were damaged as a result of their service and war widows, is carried through with continued timely and convenient access to the highest quality of health care,” Mr Billson said.

“I am pleased to announce this package, worth more than $600 million over the next five years, which secures veteran Gold and White Card holders’ continued access to free health care services.

“More than 300,000 veterans and war widows with Gold or White Cards continue to access the health care professionals they know and trust.

“This package recognises the high level of health care provided to Gold and White Card holders by specialists, general practitioners, allied health care providers, dentists, optometrists and pathologists,” he said.

“With 70 per cent of veterans over the age of 75, it is important that Gold and White Card holders enjoy peace of mind, knowing that if they require treatment, they will be looked after.

"Health care groups have expressed their strong support for the initiative. It provides a significant boost to the $4.6 billion in funding that the Australian Government provides for the health needs of our nation's veterans."

A Gold Card provides the holder with treatment and care for all health care conditions at government expense, while a White Card identifies the recipient as being eligible for treatment and care for specific conditions.

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