The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) applauds the de-regulation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services announced in a record investment in the health system on the budget night.
De-regulation of Medicare funded MRI services in regional, rural, and remote areas means Australian patients can easily access MRI services with reduced out-of-pocket costs and improved health outcomes. This also marks an exciting milestone of RANZCR advocacy work over the past years on several key health priorities that benefit Australian patients.
Clin A/Prof Sanjay Jeganathan, RANZCR President, said: “Positive patient outcomes is of paramount importance. I’m thrilled to hear such good news and it is a welcome win for patients. The College has been actively advocating the deregulation of MRI machines for many years.”
Other welcome announcements in the budget include:
- $32.6 million for positron emission tomography (PET) for patients diagnosed with rare and uncommon cancers
- $14 million to amend the current Medicare MRI liver item to include all cancer types that have potentially spread to the liver
- $10.6 million to amend the current Medicare MRI breast item for patients at high risk of developing breast cancer, raising the age limit from 50 to 60
- $400,000 for cryoablation for biopsy-confirmed renal cell carcinoma
- $9.7 million for short term surge capacity for BreastScreen Australia
- $14.8 million for new and amended Medicare items for obstetrics and gynaecology – amending one MRI item, introducing one new MRI and six new ultrasound items to help improve the health outcomes of pregnant women and help ensure the birth of healthy babies at term
- The Federal Government is contributing $375.6 million to establish a Western Australian
Comprehensive Cancer Centre to improve access to world-class cancer care and
ensure better health outcomes for West Australians with cancer.
RANZCR congratulates the Government on increasing patient access to vital diagnostic imaging services in regional, rural and remote areas. RANZCR will continue to work closely with its members, stakeholders and partner with the Government to drive changes, ensuring the processes and enablers are in place.
Source: RANZCR
