Attention pet owners! One state paves the way for a potentially nationwide ‘Veticare’ scheme providing free or subsidised vet care
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A wise person once said that you shouldn’t get a pet if you can’t afford to provide them with their basic needs, which of course, include occasional visits to the vet. But even if most fur parents can technically afford vet care, we can’t deny that they cost an arm and a leg. And if you have pet insurance, the premium climbs year after year.
Luckily, one Victorian animal rights MP is paving the way to accessible and cheap vet care for pet owners across Australia. However, not everyone is impressed by the initiative.
Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick proposed the ‘Veticare’ scheme to the Victorian parliament on Tuesday, mimicking the Medicare system by providing free or subsidised vet care for eligible animals. The proposal includes establishing public vet hospitals, upskilling vet nurses, and a bulk-billing model for vet care.
Affordable vet care for our best friends! Source: Pet Professional Insurance
‘Australia has a vet shortage crisis, and it is not just creating animal welfare issues, it is driving up prices and placing unimaginable pressure on vets to work overtime, unsupported,’ Mr Meddick said.
‘Just like how we can visit our doctors with a Medicare card, Veticare creates public clinics allowing for free or low-cost appointments.’
So, which animals are eligible? If passed, every pet owner residing in Victoria will be eligible to have the scheduled fee covered for their vet appointment (as one would with Medicare), but the gap fee could vary depending on the owner’s financial situation.
This means that concession, pension, and healthcare cardholders could see their entire bill covered under Veticare.
The program applies to companion animals that need vet care, from yearly check-ups and injections to more serious operations.
Mr Meddick explained: ‘Veticare would relieve the pressure on vets, who are expected to manage injured or displaced wildlife brought in by the public on top of paying clients.’
Although he admitted to not knowing how much the scheme would cost, he said: ‘It’s not really about how much it’s going to cost to implement but what it will cost if we don’t do this preventative measure,’
‘If we continue to go down the path we’re taking, in just a few short years, it will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars to reinvest in the sector and bring it up from scratch.’
The program applies to companion animals. Source: People
Australian Veterinary Association President Bronwyn Orr supported the motion but pointed out that there were other issues that needed to be addressed first.
‘It’s all fair and good to have subsidised veterinary care but you actually need to have the veterinarians in place to do that,’ she explained.
‘There has not been enough investment in the profession and it’s leading to some rural and regional places actually not having any vets at all. If you have subsidised vet care, it’s not much use if you can’t actually get in to see a vet.
‘There should be incentives such as reducing student debt for new graduates to ensure that vets are located across the country.’
Mr Meddick’s plan to support vet nurses to become nurse practitioners will also take some time, she continued.
‘Currently, veterinary nursing is not even a standardised regulated profession,’
‘We’re really supportive of getting nurses credentialed and registered. That’s the first step.’
Dr Orr stated that we needed to address the vet crisis first. Source: Daily Telegraph
When asked if the government is in favour of the initiative, a spokesperson said that animal welfare was a priority and it is currently drafting new legislation to replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
‘Animals play an important role in the lives of so many Australians, and we’re consulting with communities and farmers to ensure that we get the reforms right.’ they stated.
What are your thoughts on Andy Meddick’s Veticare scheme? Is it worth the shot or is it a little ambitious? Let us know in the comments below!
Luckily, one Victorian animal rights MP is paving the way to accessible and cheap vet care for pet owners across Australia. However, not everyone is impressed by the initiative.
Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick proposed the ‘Veticare’ scheme to the Victorian parliament on Tuesday, mimicking the Medicare system by providing free or subsidised vet care for eligible animals. The proposal includes establishing public vet hospitals, upskilling vet nurses, and a bulk-billing model for vet care.
Affordable vet care for our best friends! Source: Pet Professional Insurance
‘Australia has a vet shortage crisis, and it is not just creating animal welfare issues, it is driving up prices and placing unimaginable pressure on vets to work overtime, unsupported,’ Mr Meddick said.
‘Just like how we can visit our doctors with a Medicare card, Veticare creates public clinics allowing for free or low-cost appointments.’
So, which animals are eligible? If passed, every pet owner residing in Victoria will be eligible to have the scheduled fee covered for their vet appointment (as one would with Medicare), but the gap fee could vary depending on the owner’s financial situation.
This means that concession, pension, and healthcare cardholders could see their entire bill covered under Veticare.
The program applies to companion animals that need vet care, from yearly check-ups and injections to more serious operations.
Mr Meddick explained: ‘Veticare would relieve the pressure on vets, who are expected to manage injured or displaced wildlife brought in by the public on top of paying clients.’
Although he admitted to not knowing how much the scheme would cost, he said: ‘It’s not really about how much it’s going to cost to implement but what it will cost if we don’t do this preventative measure,’
‘If we continue to go down the path we’re taking, in just a few short years, it will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars to reinvest in the sector and bring it up from scratch.’
The program applies to companion animals. Source: People
Australian Veterinary Association President Bronwyn Orr supported the motion but pointed out that there were other issues that needed to be addressed first.
‘It’s all fair and good to have subsidised veterinary care but you actually need to have the veterinarians in place to do that,’ she explained.
‘There has not been enough investment in the profession and it’s leading to some rural and regional places actually not having any vets at all. If you have subsidised vet care, it’s not much use if you can’t actually get in to see a vet.
‘There should be incentives such as reducing student debt for new graduates to ensure that vets are located across the country.’
Mr Meddick’s plan to support vet nurses to become nurse practitioners will also take some time, she continued.
‘Currently, veterinary nursing is not even a standardised regulated profession,’
‘We’re really supportive of getting nurses credentialed and registered. That’s the first step.’
Dr Orr stated that we needed to address the vet crisis first. Source: Daily Telegraph
When asked if the government is in favour of the initiative, a spokesperson said that animal welfare was a priority and it is currently drafting new legislation to replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
‘Animals play an important role in the lives of so many Australians, and we’re consulting with communities and farmers to ensure that we get the reforms right.’ they stated.
What are your thoughts on Andy Meddick’s Veticare scheme? Is it worth the shot or is it a little ambitious? Let us know in the comments below!
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