❓ Hon. Rob Horstman questions the Minister for Health regarding the promised expansion of the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS), specifically concerning fuel and accommodation subsidies, and the inclusion of allied and dental health services. The Minister's response outlines the budget incorporation of the fuel subsidy increase and ongoing work regarding allied and dental health inclusion.
AnsweredQoN 275Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Patient Assisted Travel Scheme—Expansion
275. Hon Rob Horstman to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
National Party's election policy to deliver a much-needed expansion of the Patient
Assisted Travel Scheme to increase the fuel subsidy and expand PATS eligibility
to include allied health and dental services, which the Cook Labor government
has also committed to deliver.
(1) When will the minister's promised increase in
the fuel subsidy from 26c per kilometre to 40c per kilometre commence?
(2) Why has the minister chosen not to increase
the accommodation subsidy that is leaving regional patients out of pocket when
travelling to Perth for medical services not available locally?
(3) Has any modelling been undertaken by the
Department of Health, WA Country Health Service or any other agency regarding
the cost of expanding PATS to include allied and dental health and, if so,
please table.
275. Hon Rob Horstman to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
National Party's election policy to deliver a much-needed expansion of the Patient
Assisted Travel Scheme to increase the fuel subsidy and expand PATS eligibility
to include allied health and dental services, which the Cook Labor government
has also committed to deliver.
(1) When will the minister's promised increase in
the fuel subsidy from 26c per kilometre to 40c per kilometre commence?
(2) Why has the minister chosen not to increase
the accommodation subsidy that is leaving regional patients out of pocket when
travelling to Perth for medical services not available locally?
(3) Has any modelling been undertaken by the
Department of Health, WA Country Health Service or any other agency regarding
the cost of expanding PATS to include allied and dental health and, if so,
please table.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1) The increase to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme
fuel subsidy from 26c per kilometre to 40c per kilometre is incorporated within
the 2025–26 government budget process.
(2) The Labor government delivered an increase to
the accommodation subsidy in 2021.
(3) Work continues to deliver an expansion of
eligibility to include allied and dental health.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1) The increase to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme
fuel subsidy from 26c per kilometre to 40c per kilometre is incorporated within
the 2025–26 government budget process.
(2) The Labor government delivered an increase to
the accommodation subsidy in 2021.
(3) Work continues to deliver an expansion of
eligibility to include allied and dental health.
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