Labor will drop chemotherapy co-payments for Maitland cancer patients if elected to government, the party has announced.
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Introduced by the O’Farrell government in 2012, the chemotherapy co-payment costs some patients $180 for initial treatment and more if different drugs are used.
“The financial hardship on top of all the other problems that come with a cancer diagnosis are just too much for people to cope with,” Labor candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said.
“So we want to ensure cancer patients don’t have to pay a co-payment to receive treatment.”
The Cancer Council NSW has welcomed the news.
“It is heartening to see political parties acknowledge the financial burden on cancer patients, and recognise the role that state government can play in helping patients and carers at a difficult time in their lives,” Dana Buzinec, community programs co-ordinator with the Cancer Council NSW, said.
“We know that some cancer patients can pay up to $180 in co-payment fees for their initial chemotherapy treatment and may be charged even more for further treatment.”