Potential win for bulk billed radiation therapy treatment in Griffith

Independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton is taking the news of an impending announcement from Health Minister Brad Hazzard on radiation funding at Griffith as a much awaited for win.  

 Mrs Dalton has been advocating for state government to address the bulk billing shortfall for months, joining forces with Wagga Wagga Independent Dr Joe McGirr to campaign for funding. 

 As it currently stands, Griffith face out of pocket expenses for radiation treatment when the facility opens next year, sharing the unfortunate commonality with Wagga. 

 “I have been hammering this issue with the minister for the past 12 months and in question time yesterday Minister Hazzard publicly stated an announcement is imminent. 

 “It has never been fair or equitable patients from Griffith and Wagga are the only people in the entire state of NSW to pay out of pocket expenses,” Mrs Dalton said. 

 She said the community and business around Griffith have gotten behind the call for bulk billing funding including signing a community based petition with thousands of signatures. 

 Mrs Dalton said while any cancer diagnosis is stressful, removing the added stress of a financial burden is great news for the region.  

 “Access to affordable rural health care is a major issue for the people of Murray, and just because we live outside of Greater Sydney shouldn’t mean we have to pay more to access treatment.”