National’s Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has demanded immediate change from the Allan Labor Government in relation to the unacceptable time frames that users of the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) are being forced to wait for reimbursement.
The scheme is designed to financially assist locals who are required to travel more than 100 kilometres to visit a specialist practitioner by reimbursing their costs in a timely manner, alleviating them of the concern and stress that can be caused by unavoidable expenses that quickly accumulate in times of poor health.
Speaking recently in Parliament, Mr McCurdy slammed the government for financially crippling those who are at their most vulnerable.
“Patients are required to pay for their trip and are to be reimbursed via the VPTAS system,
“Mr McCurdy said.
“What used to be a one-to-two-month timeframe to be reimbursed, has blown out to four months, further financially crippling those most vulnerable.
“It is disgraceful that that the Allan Labor Government is now using seriously ill Victorians to help prop up the state budget by slowing down the payment timeframe.
Mr McCurdy slammed Jacinta Allan for being ‘out of touch’ and ‘lacking respect.’
“The people who claim VPTAS are not being paid half a million dollars like the Premier.
“They are on a modest income, and they rely on the rebate to pay their bills.
“I urge the Allan Labor Government to stop delaying these payments and start showing some respect to vulnerable Victorians.
“Labor can’t manage money, and Victorians are paying the price.”