The escalating dispute between the Federal Government and ophthalmologist industry which has led to a Medicare rebate for cataract surgery being removed, will leave more than 130,000 older Australians thousands of dollars out of pocket, according to Australia’s leading seniors group.

In an effort to resolve the issue, National Seniors Australia (NSA) has called for the immediate reinstatement of the Medicare rebate and the urgent appointment of an independent mediator.

NSA chief executive Michael O’Neill said cataract patients, who were overwhelmingly older Australians, were being used as a political football.

“As a result of the Government’s proposed changes being disallowed today in the Senate, consumers will be left with no rebate whatsoever from 1 November 2009,’’ he said.

“There is no place for this kind of brinkmanship when it is the health needs of older Australians that are being played with.

“Unless this issue is resolved immediately, scheduled cataract procedures may have to be put back or cancelled, and patients will be $624 per eye worse off from 1 November 2009.

Mr O’Neill said that the engagement of a mediator may provide the only way forward with both the Government and doctors seemingly unable to work together. The use of a mediator is common in commerce and may well provide the best solution for going forward.

“No Medicare rebate is the worst of all possible outcomes for the consumer and will not help to resolve the dispute. Resolution can only come if both the Government and ophthalmologists get around the table and work through the issues.”

The reduction in the Medicare rebate for cataract surgery from $624 to $315 was announced as part of the 2009-10 Federal Budget.

In the period since the Federal Budget, NSA has held several meetings with Government and the industry in order to raise concerns and achieve a more favorable outcome for consumers, however, neither side has been willing to give ground.

Around 130,000 individuals undergo cataract surgery each year in Australia. Of these, 80 per cent are over the age of 65 and the vast majority of these are age pensioners.

Michael O’Neill is available for comment on 0448 125 898.

Media: Casey-Ann Seaniger 0422 391 627.

With around 280,000 members aged 50 and over, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for older Australians. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.