Green Party Crank up the Pressure with Dental Plan
The Australian Green Party has cranked up pressure on the coalition government, by revealing a new dental plan.
The party has been campaigning for better access to dental services since they agreed to join the coalition, after Julia Gillard’s party failed to gain a majority vote. However, the government has failed to deliver the promised improvements, blaming a lack of money.
Now the party has unveiled a $1.3 billion plan, which will ensure that Medicare covers dental care and the Greens are eager to push the plan through so that it is included in next year’s Budget.
Dr Richard Di Natale, health spokesman for the Green Party, said that there is no reason why the mouth should be treated in a different way to the rest of the body and added that oral health was extremely important for general health.
Dr Di Natale said that the plan will cost $1.3 billion in the first year, with $1 billion coming from the chronic disease programme, which is in place at the moment and $300 million will be invested in dental services at state level.
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