❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Premier regarding the implementation and cost of the election promise to increase the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) subsidy. The response provides dates, costs, and additional investments in patient support.
AnsweredQoN 756Legislative Council
Asked
16 September 2021
Member
Portfolio
Leader of the House representing the Premier
QuestionView source ↗
PATIENT ASSISTED TRAVEL
SCHEME — ELECTION COMMITMENT
756. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I
refer to the Premier's election promise to increase funding for the
patient assisted travel scheme from $60 per night to $100 per night, as
posted on his Facebook page on 13 January this year.
(1) On what date will the increase
in the PATS subsidy come into effect?
(2) What is the cost of this
commitment for —
(a) 2021–22; and
(b) each year of the forward
estimates?
(3) Will the
Premier further commit to increasing other PATS subsidies, such as the private
vehicle or accommodation subsidies, to better reflect the true costs for
regional residents who must travel to access essential health services?
SCHEME — ELECTION COMMITMENT
756. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I
refer to the Premier's election promise to increase funding for the
patient assisted travel scheme from $60 per night to $100 per night, as
posted on his Facebook page on 13 January this year.
(1) On what date will the increase
in the PATS subsidy come into effect?
(2) What is the cost of this
commitment for —
(a) 2021–22; and
(b) each year of the forward
estimates?
(3) Will the
Premier further commit to increasing other PATS subsidies, such as the private
vehicle or accommodation subsidies, to better reflect the true costs for
regional residents who must travel to access essential health services?
AnswerView source ↗
(1) I have been
advised that the accommodation subsidy increase is anticipated to take effect
from the week commencing 13 September 2021.
(2) (a) In 2021–22, it is
$4 366 000.
(b) In 2022–23,
it is $4 708 000; in 2023–24, it is $5 104 000; and in 2024–25,
it is $5 523 000.
(3) The 2021–22
state budget invests an additional $19.7 million to increase support for the
accommodation allowance from $60 per night to up to $100 per night. This
represents a 66 per cent increase in the accommodation
allowance and it expands eligibility for patient support escorts, enabling
vulnerable patients to be accompanied by a support person when
travelling for medical appointments. Separate to this, the government continues to fund the Country Age
Pension Fuel Card subsidy, which is worth $575 per annum for eligible
recipients.
advised that the accommodation subsidy increase is anticipated to take effect
from the week commencing 13 September 2021.
(2) (a) In 2021–22, it is
$4 366 000.
(b) In 2022–23,
it is $4 708 000; in 2023–24, it is $5 104 000; and in 2024–25,
it is $5 523 000.
(3) The 2021–22
state budget invests an additional $19.7 million to increase support for the
accommodation allowance from $60 per night to up to $100 per night. This
represents a 66 per cent increase in the accommodation
allowance and it expands eligibility for patient support escorts, enabling
vulnerable patients to be accompanied by a support person when
travelling for medical appointments. Separate to this, the government continues to fund the Country Age
Pension Fuel Card subsidy, which is worth $575 per annum for eligible
recipients.
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