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 Labor’s Medicare campaign EXPLAINED
Medicare has emerged as a key policy  of the upcoming federal election, with Labor refusing to back down from a “Mediscare”-style campaign. 
battleground
What is actually going on?
What is actually going on?
In 2014, the then-Abbott government unsuccessfully attempted to introduce a $7 GP co-payment.
The proposal was wildly unpopular, but ministers and MPs had to front up and defend the policy.
How did we get here?
Senator Anne Ruston, then a backbencher, told parliament at the time Medicare would not be sustainable without it.
"Unfortunately, the credit card is maxed out."
"Unfortunately, the credit card is maxed out."
The attempted change set the scene for Labor to launch a campaign against the Coalition’s track record on health amid the 2016 election, dubbed ‘Mediscare'.
Enter 'Mediscare'
The campaign was so successful that Labor came within a whisker of winning government by claiming Malcolm Turnbull had a secret plan to privatise Medicare. Did he? No.  
Video | ABC News
When Scott Morrison named Senator Ruston as Health Minister Greg Hunt's replacement, Labor seized on her vocal support of the co-payment. 
Why does it matter now?
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said Senator Ruston had made it clear a Morrison re-election “will see more cuts to Medicare over the next three years”.
Video | Sky News
Senator Ruston said last week that she no longer supports the co-payment model, rejecting claims she would cut Medicare.
"We absolutely have guaranteed Medicare in law."
"We absolutely have guaranteed Medicare in law."
But on Monday morning, in a round of media appearances including The Today Show, she stopped short of categorically ruling out cuts.
April 18, 2022   Video | The Today Show
It meant Mr Morrison again had to hose down speculation his government had a plan to cut Medicare.
Senator Ruston said what she said. But that was seven years ago, in promotion of the government’s policy. 
What are the facts?
However, the Medicare Guarantee Act referred to in the Senator’s defence is misleading.  
The fund includes revenue from the Medicare levy and a government top up to meet  costs of the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The legislation, which passed in 2017, established the Medicare Guarantee Fund.  
But that’s it. No guarantee or protection for any further cuts to Medicare.
But that’s it. No guarantee or protection for any further cuts to Medicare.
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Story: Courtney GouldProducer: Gillian McNally
																											

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