Psychologists to be covered by Medicare

A $1.8 billion, five year plan announced by Prime Minister John Howard in early April will increase mental health services and provide Medicare rebates for psychologists for the first time.

From 1 November 2006, Medicare will be extended to cover psychologists’ fees, making specialist care for depression and mental illness more affordable. Describing the move as a “massive breakthrough,” the Prime Minister said the plan was aimed at turning around years of neglect of mental health services by state and federal governments and widespread concerns of a growing and hidden mental health epidemic in Australia.

The director of the Australian Psychological Society’s branch and regional operations, Ted Campbell, said the detail is still to be assessed, but people who were previously unable to afford psychological treatment will now be able to.

“I’m genuinely delighted that after many years of campaigning that the carers, the sufferers and the health professionals associated with mental health care seem at last to have got the ear of government,” he told ABC Radio.

Turn to page 7 of this issue of PL for an in-depth look at depression and HIV [1].