Hep C News Stories
Hep C - we need your help!
Do you have hepatitis C and a bleeding disorder? Are you experiencing financial difficulties because of this? HFA urgently needs your help to document the specific types of financial problems our community members experience because of hepatitis C.
As you may know, HFA has been meeting with members of parliament and government representatives to discuss the HFA proposal for a financial assistance scheme for people with bleeding disorders and hepatitis C. There was also a recent meeting with a representative of Minister Roxon’s office.
Read the letter from Nicola Roxon, Minister for Health and Ageing, in response to the meeting. [PDF, 66KB]
The Minister has stated that there are a number of government schemes to help people with out-of-pocket medical expenses and with transport, services and housing. In HFA’s previous surveys and focus groups, many of you have told us that these schemes do not cover your costs or that you cannot access them. Now we need your help to prove it – by documenting the many specific situations where gaps occur.
What do we need to know?
We need you to give us examples related to having hepatitis C and a bleeding disorder past or present where:
- Your costs for health care, wellbeing or home help or support were not fully covered by government schemes or rebates, such as a health care card or Medicare gap payments and how much you were out-of-pocket
- You could not access government home help, assistance or support schemes to help with your hepatitis C and bleeding disorder related problems
- You were excluded from insurance or superannuation or had to pay higher premiums because of your hepatitis C and/or bleeding disorder
- You were ineligible for other health or support services you needed
We need to know which state or territory you live in because each state or territory has different government schemes. Information about your hepatitis C status or eligibility for a health care card would also be helpful to argue our case.
Where can you find more information about these government schemes?
Examples of government assistance schemes or rebates and their web site addresses are given in the letter from Minister Roxon. More information about state or territory schemes will also be on your state or territory government web sites. The Haemophilia Social Worker or Counsellor at your Haemophilia Centre or your local Hepatitis Council (see www.hepatitisaustralia.com for contact details) can also help you with this.
What don’t we need to know?
We don’t need to know your name, specific dates where this occurred or any other information that might identify you.
All personal information you send to HFA will be treated confidentially. Any information we show to government will not identify individuals but will document the types of situations where financial safety net gaps occur.
How can you tell us about your experiences?
You can post, email or fax details of your experiences to us. Please send this information to us by Friday February 11 2011.
We have attached a form to help with documenting your experiences – you don’t have to use the form, but it will show you what information would be helpful. ANY information or comments you can send us would be helpful.
Financial costs of hepatitis C and a bleeding disorder form -
Download MS Word form
Download PDF form [31KB]
Post (no postage stamp required):
Haemophilia Foundation Australia
Reply Paid 78667
GLEN IRIS VIC 3146
F: 03 9885 1800
If you have more questions
You may find that documenting this information raises questions or sensitive issues for you that you want to discuss further.
Who can help you with this?
• The Haemophilia Social Worker or Counsellor at your Haemophilia Centre
• Your local Hepatitis Council (see www.hepatitisaustralia.com for contact details)
• Lifeline – ph 13 11 14.
.
You are also welcome to contact Haemophilia Foundation Australia to discuss this further – phone 1800 807 173 or email hfaust@haemophilia.org.au.