WOULD YOU LIKE PHONE AND ONLINE DOCTOR CONSULTATIONS TO BE AVAILABLE THROUGH MEDICARE IN AUSTRALIA? Your help is needed to make this happen. Tell the Australian Government how much this would mean to you. Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt is setting up a telehealth program, which would mean that phone and online doctor consultations would qualify for Medicare rebates. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/phone-online-gp-visits-are-minister-s-aim However, it is a 10-year plan, which is too long to wait. Many people with ME/CFS are unable to attend doctors’ appointments and would benefit from telehealth consultations. We need access to telehealth services now. WRITE-TO-YOUR-MP CAMPAIGN Please write to your Federal MP to let them know that people with ME/CFS and other chronic illnesses require access to the telehealth program as a priority. Those who live in Greg Hunt’s electorate of Flinders, are particularly encouraged to write. If Minister Hunt receives lots of letters from our MPs from all around Australia, he is much more likely to meet with us to discuss our requests. HOW TO WRITE TO YOUR MP IN 3 EASY STEPS 1.Find your local Federal MP here: (Scroll down to insert your postcode) https://www.aph.gov.au/senators_and_members/members Or use the standard MP email address though details need to be transcribed carefully. eg Jane.Smith.MP@aph.gov.au 2. Template letter: Click here to download the template letter: https://app.box.com/s/ca8mhaamnfvmydg3u2sg3e4tcym9100v Fill in your MP’s name and include your personal details. Write some personal story if you wish. Delete any yellow highlighted text that does not apply. 3. Email or send your letter. 4. Please inform us of your action including the name of your Federal MP and/or electorate by leaving a comment below. LOW ENERGY OPTION Consider leaving a message in the email form on Minister Hunt’s contact page: https://www.greghunt.com.au/contact/contact-greg/. Sample message: “Dear Minister Hunt. Thank you for the new telehealth program. Please include people with ME/CFS and other severe chronic illnesses as a priority. I suffer from ME/CFS and it is extremely difficult for me to get to the doctor.” Edit: The letter writing campaign will end on Friday August 9.
