Today, AAPi and members are featured in an article in The Guardian, leading with the headline that psychologists who bulk bill are earning as little as $12 an hour. The article features commentary from AAPi, psychologists and clients.
It is AAPi’s position that the Medicare rebate needs to be raised to $150 for the clients of all psychologists. The current low rebate and two-tier system are hurting the most vulnerable in our community and limiting access to who can afford the expert mental health care that psychologists provide.
The article also includes AAPi's calls to allow provisional psychologists to provide services under Medicare and incentive payments offered to psychologists working in low-income, regional and rural areas.
AAPi and members this week have also been featured in bulk-billing stories on 9News, 2GB radio, LinkedIn News, ABC Radio National and ABC TV News.
With the bulk-billing and unsustainable low Medicare rebates discussion gaining momentum, AAPi will continue to address inequalities in funding to create better access to mental health services around the country.
In other news, it has been a busy few weeks with important meetings with DVA, SIRA, the Department of Home Affairs, the Vic Department of Education and others. We have continued our advocacy regarding the NDIS, with AAPi's Amanda Curran on the NDIS Mental Health Sector Reference Group.
As a not-for-profit member association, AAPi is reliant on membership fees to continue our advocacy work. If you are not yet a member, now is the time to join.