A new healthcare proposal from the Greens aims to save Tasmanians billions by incorporating dental care into Medicare and establishing free healthcare clinics across the state.
The party claims the plan would save Tasmanians approximately $971 each in the first year and potentially $10,781 over a decade.
Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said the initiative would address a critical healthcare gap in the state.
“Too many Tasmanians simply can’t afford to see the dentist, which has impacts on general health as well as oral health,” McKim said.
According to the proposal, Tasmanians could collectively save around $469 million in the first year and $5.2 billion over a decade through the Medicare dental inclusion.
McKim said Tasmania’s concerning dental health statistics are a key motivation for the proposal.
“The Tasmanian Audit Office found last year that Tasmania has the worst prevalence of tooth loss in Australia, and the second worst dental check-up rate in Australia behind the Northern Territory,” he said.
The initiative also includes establishing new healthcare facilities with six clinics planned for each electorate, creating 930 healthcare jobs statewide.
Each clinic would be staffed with five GPs, 15 nurses, two dentists, two psychologists and support personnel.
The free GP services at these clinics could generate additional savings of approximately $344 per person in the first year and nearly $5,000 over ten years.
“People would be able to see a GP, dentist or psychologist without cost, close to home, without waiting for months or skipping care because they can’t afford it,” McKim said.
The Greens propose funding the initiative through increased taxes on major corporations and high-wealth individuals.
“Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege for the wealthy. We should tax corporate super-profits and fix people’s teeth,” McKim said.
