Thousands more Seniors are set to gain access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card under plans unveiled by Prime Minister, Scott Morrison this week.
Mr Morrison says if re-elected, the Coalition government will boost eligibility for the Seniors card by lifting the access threshold from July 1.
“We’re going to lift the eligibility for access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card for singles where it’s currently $57,761 to 90,000,” he announced on Monday.
“We’re also going to raise the limit for couples as well, from $92,416 up to $144,000.
“Now, that is going to mean there are 50,000 additional Australians aged 67 and above – people who’ve saved for their retirement who don’t ask for much – but as they move into their senior years and they have to access more and more medications this makes a difference to their cost of living.”
Mr Morrison said the threshold changes were a good and sensible change for Seniors.
“It recognises that self-funded retirees have worked hard, they’ve saved for their retirement, they want that independence they’ve worked hard for,” he said.
“And this will help 50,000 more Australians be able to have access to that certainty of the healthcare that they wish to have as they move into their senior years.
“Now this is all enabled because we do know how to manage money, it’s all enabled by having a strong economic plan that is working and provides for our future.”
Meanwhile, Labor says should it win government, the Seniors Health Card scheme eligibility would widen in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement.
“We’re not interested in playing politics when we see a good idea,” a joint statement from Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese; Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services, Linda Burney and Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler stated.
