Being diagnosed with cancer can be an emotional time, especially when deciding on treatment and how it may impact you financially. Everyone deserves the chance to access and afford cancer treatments, whether you live in the city, regional, rural or remote communities.
Identifying the issue:
In 2021, people affected by cancer accessing treatment in Wagga Wagga – based at the Regional Comprehensive Cancer Treatment Centre (RCCC) were subjected to out-of-pocket costs, which placed an immense financial burden on them.
When concerns were raised, it was discovered that people affected by cancer who were accessing treatment from other centres, both public and private, in regional NSW were not subjected to out-of-pockets costs. Those who were accessing treatment in Albury, just two hours away from Wagga Wagga, did not have to pay any additional cost, as the Victorian Government subsidised the treatment costs for cancer patients.
The Commonwealth Government had also announced a new radiation service in Griffith, two hours from Wagga Wagga run by the operators of the RCCC, where no out of pocket costs would be applied.
How we addressed the issue?
The high out-of-pocket costs for radiotherapy in Wagga Wagga raised concern at Cancer Council NSW. Sarah Hosking, CEO of Cancer Council NSW brought the ongoing issue forward with Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr.
Dr. McGirr took the lead, initiating a petition and mobilising the community’s voice. His tireless efforts, alongside the active support of Cancer Council staff, volunteers, and current and former patients, garnered a remarkable 12,000 signatures calling for radiotherapy services in Wagga to be bulk billed like other regional centres.
“It goes without saying that undergoing treatment for cancer is incredibly traumatic for patients and their loved ones, and for those people to have been hit with hefty out-of-pocket costs for treatment, it’s unfair and financially burdensome”, says MP Dr Joe McGirr.
What we achieved?
After the issue included Cancer Council NSW’s submission to the Inquiry into health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional and remote New South Wales along with the petitions presented to the parliament, the NSW Health Minister made an announcement during Question Time. In response to the advocacy led by MP Dr Joe McGirr, which was actively supported by Cancer Council NSW, the NSW Government confirmed closing the gap and providing bulk billing cancer services within the Riverina area. “I’m very happy that our combined lobbying effects have finally delivered that crucial support to our region”, Dr McGirr added.
This is a huge win for people affected by cancer in the Riverina who now will be able to access free cancer treatments and look forward to their financial burden being significantly eased. Cancer Council NSW has advocated for this issue since 2020, and through this we want to remind people that we’re standing by everyone living with cancer, protecting life’s moments, for life.
