Cancer patients left feeling desperate as they pay thousands for treatment - Will bulk-billing come to the rescue?
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Ageing healthily is a goal many strive for, but unfortunately, some end up facing the challenge of combating serious illnesses, such as cancer.
The financial burden associated with cancer treatment is something no one should have to bear, especially not seniors who have spent their lives working hard and giving back to their communities.
So, it's heartbreaking to learn about the patients in a cancer centre in Wagga Wagga, NSW, having to shell out thousands of dollars for much-needed cancer treatments.
In June last year, 69-year-old Amey Glynn was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and upon visiting the Riverina Cancer Care Centre (RCCC) for an initial consultation, she was handed a bill for almost $5,000.
'When she said that amount of money, I got the shock of my life,' Ms Glynn said.
'I said, “How do people afford to have cancer in the Riverina?''’
The RCCC in Wagga Wagga is the city's only radiotherapy provider and one of the few facilities in the state where patients aren't bulk-billed.
While Medicare rebates are available, the lack of bulk billing has created a 'funding anomaly’, as Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr stated.
He claimed that the centre was community-funded and built 20 years ago – long before the state government began operating its own radiotherapy services with no out-of-pocket costs for patients.
'Now the state health department is running radiotherapy services without out-of-pocket costs, that meant Wagga has suffered because we went ahead and did it ourselves,’ Dr McGirr said.
'I don't think it's fair, and it needs to be resolved.’
Dr McGirr recently tabled a petition with 12,000 signatures in the New South Wales Parliament, urging the government to cover out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatment with funding.
Health Minister Ryan Park has yet to comment on the petition and has referred questions to The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).
According to the MLHD, it is currently reviewing an agreement with the Cancer Care Group, which operates the RCCC, to ensure patients have affordable access to the facility.
Cancer Care's Chief Operating Officer, Damien Williams, has said that the agreement applied to only a minority of patients, and it's high time the state government provided much-needed support.
What is the cost of providing care to patients?
Despite the availability of rebates through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, many cancer-stricken patients, like Ms Glynn, find themselves in financial distress as they face ongoing treatment costs.
Every Tuesday, Ms Glynn had to come up with $1,300 upfront for her treatment in addition to the initial consultation bill.
She stated that easing the financial burden for cancer patients is essential, as navigating complex reimbursement schemes or seeking financial support might cause additional stress, hinder treatment, or lead some to abandon treatment altogether.
‘They've got cancer; they're scared out of their brains, and now they have to apply for help,' Ms Glynn said.
'So, they don't get it, or they don't follow it through, or I've talked to a couple of people that didn't bother getting any treatment. I was appalled. That's when I really started to think that this is a disgrace,’ the woman continued.
Dr McGirr echoed these sentiments, stating, 'It is a real burden on people, and I do think it influences people's decisions on the length of therapy and type of therapy they take.'
With the petition scheduled for parliamentary debate next week, many hope that government intervention and support can provide some comfort and relief to the cancer patients of Wagga Wagga. No one should ever have to compromise their health due to financial concerns.
‘This is clearly an issue people feel very strongly about,’ Dr McGirr stated.
Ms Glynn is now in remission following her treatment at the RCCC.
This comes after it was revealed that the lack of bulk billing medical services affects seniors and workers alike. As a result, a pensioner admitted they skip dinner three times a week to make seven days’ worth of groceries last for two weeks.
The pensioner said they do this while living with several chronic health conditions that require multiple visits to the doctor each year. You can read more about this heartbreaking story here.
We’re hopeful for a brighter future, where no one should have to make the unthinkable choice between their health and eating every day.
The financial burden associated with cancer treatment is something no one should have to bear, especially not seniors who have spent their lives working hard and giving back to their communities.
So, it's heartbreaking to learn about the patients in a cancer centre in Wagga Wagga, NSW, having to shell out thousands of dollars for much-needed cancer treatments.
In June last year, 69-year-old Amey Glynn was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and upon visiting the Riverina Cancer Care Centre (RCCC) for an initial consultation, she was handed a bill for almost $5,000.
'When she said that amount of money, I got the shock of my life,' Ms Glynn said.
'I said, “How do people afford to have cancer in the Riverina?''’
The RCCC is the city’s only radiotherapy provider. Credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels
The RCCC in Wagga Wagga is the city's only radiotherapy provider and one of the few facilities in the state where patients aren't bulk-billed.
While Medicare rebates are available, the lack of bulk billing has created a 'funding anomaly’, as Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr stated.
He claimed that the centre was community-funded and built 20 years ago – long before the state government began operating its own radiotherapy services with no out-of-pocket costs for patients.
'Now the state health department is running radiotherapy services without out-of-pocket costs, that meant Wagga has suffered because we went ahead and did it ourselves,’ Dr McGirr said.
'I don't think it's fair, and it needs to be resolved.’
The lack of proper medical services is affecting patients with serious health conditions. Credit: Thirdman/Pexels
Dr McGirr recently tabled a petition with 12,000 signatures in the New South Wales Parliament, urging the government to cover out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatment with funding.
Health Minister Ryan Park has yet to comment on the petition and has referred questions to The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).
According to the MLHD, it is currently reviewing an agreement with the Cancer Care Group, which operates the RCCC, to ensure patients have affordable access to the facility.
Cancer Care's Chief Operating Officer, Damien Williams, has said that the agreement applied to only a minority of patients, and it's high time the state government provided much-needed support.
What is the cost of providing care to patients?
Many patients are in financial distress. Image credit: The Seniors Discount Club
Despite the availability of rebates through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, many cancer-stricken patients, like Ms Glynn, find themselves in financial distress as they face ongoing treatment costs.
Every Tuesday, Ms Glynn had to come up with $1,300 upfront for her treatment in addition to the initial consultation bill.
She stated that easing the financial burden for cancer patients is essential, as navigating complex reimbursement schemes or seeking financial support might cause additional stress, hinder treatment, or lead some to abandon treatment altogether.
‘They've got cancer; they're scared out of their brains, and now they have to apply for help,' Ms Glynn said.
'So, they don't get it, or they don't follow it through, or I've talked to a couple of people that didn't bother getting any treatment. I was appalled. That's when I really started to think that this is a disgrace,’ the woman continued.
Dr McGirr echoed these sentiments, stating, 'It is a real burden on people, and I do think it influences people's decisions on the length of therapy and type of therapy they take.'
With the petition scheduled for parliamentary debate next week, many hope that government intervention and support can provide some comfort and relief to the cancer patients of Wagga Wagga. No one should ever have to compromise their health due to financial concerns.
‘This is clearly an issue people feel very strongly about,’ Dr McGirr stated.
Ms Glynn is now in remission following her treatment at the RCCC.
This comes after it was revealed that the lack of bulk billing medical services affects seniors and workers alike. As a result, a pensioner admitted they skip dinner three times a week to make seven days’ worth of groceries last for two weeks.
The pensioner said they do this while living with several chronic health conditions that require multiple visits to the doctor each year. You can read more about this heartbreaking story here.
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