I have just one question for the prime minister and the treasurer of Australia. Why are you specifically targeting the most vulnerable people in our society, including members that suffer from multiple chronic illnesses, including cancer?

Why do you refuse to tax other members of society, people who earn over $100,000 in superannuation interest and do not pay a cent in tax, as just one example. 

The day-to-day battle for people with cancer, or in fact any life threatening illness is costly, mentally, physically and financially.

The May 2014 budget announcement of a $7 co-payment tax, pathology tax, diagnostic imaging tax, and an MRI tax, is another burden on people who do not need any more negative impacts on their life, and is compounded by a 10 per cent to 15 per cent cut in the rebate paid to radiologists, and the abolition of the safety net for high cost diagnostic imaging services such as pet scans and nuclear medicine.

From July 1 next year rebates for x-rays, MRI, pet scans and ultrasounds will be reduced from 95% to 85% for patients who were previously bulk billed.

The extent of these measures will result in some patients having to pay significant fees upfront for these services, including patients with healthcare and pension cards.

The full impact of these charges is reported to require patients to pay $90 upfront for every x-ray, $380 for a cat scan, up to $160 for a mammogram, $190 for every ultrasound. 

As in most cases, those in the greatest need, will be most effected. 

Many will still remain worse off after Medicare rebates are received.

But these are only some of the costs people endure with a chronic, or multiple chronic illnesses. Most people require multiple specialist treatment, and even with private health insurance, costs are still involved. 

The difficulty these people face on a day to day basis is sometimes overwhelming, without the added burden of wondering if they can pay for any unexpected issue.

I believe a total rethink on these added taxes is required immediately, so any further anxiety can be subdued.

Surely this is not a lot to ask.

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