NDIA Accountability Project

Shoulder operation wait times and specialist costs due to pension limitations

Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Spam: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Saturday, 22 December 2012 8:52:21 AM

Please consider this email a formal submission by me to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012.

The current disability system has many problems that need to be addressed.

Medical expenses and hospital waiting times for surgery. Waiting over 12 months for a shoulder operation was rediculous just because I could’nt afford private health insurance should’nt have made a difference in the length of time I had to wait. The cost of doctor visits and specialists is way to high when none of them bulk bill. Try finding $698 to hav an injection in your spine just so you can be pain free for a month or two and be able to sit and walk comfortably. I don’t even get that much a fortnight for my pension. Also the cost of travelling to and from the area to see specialists should be covered as this can be in the hundreds of dollars just to get there then you have his cost on top. It’s just not fair.

The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:

  • The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
  • Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family, People with disability/family will influence the types of support and services offered

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Therapy and allied health services,
  • Support for families and carers,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I am on the pension due to a congenital deformity of the spine. I would love to be pain free and be able to travel, play sport and work. So anything that can make life easier for people with disabilities and their families will always make our lives better.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mrs julie Kohlbach