John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to the question that I am asked, my understanding, Mr President, is that funding cataract surgery for veterans is not dependent on there being a Medicare Benefits Schedule item; my understanding is that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is continuing to process accounts for cataract surgery consistent with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs fee arrangements. If it would be of assistance to Senator Cormann and the Senate, I can also provide additional information in relation to this important matter that might be of interest to Senator Cormann and the Senate.

First of all, I could indicate to the Senate that the government is fixing the mess that the Liberal Party created in the Senate two weeks ago regarding cataract procedures by introducing new items to ensure that patients were not left without a rebate at all. I could also say that, thanks to the action by the government, patients have not been left in the lurch and ophthalmologists will continue to receive significant payments for these procedures. The new fee for the most common cataract procedure, which typically takes between— (Time expired)