A small change is coming to Medicare playing cards this 12 months as Australia’s common well being system celebrates a serious milestone.
The commemorative design, largely just like the present design, will mark Medicare’s fortieth anniversary and can be featured on all playing cards printed till the top of the 12 months.
Health Minister Mark Butler described it as a method to rejoice Medicare belonging to “all Australians”.
“The celebration acknowledges Medicare is the foundation of our health system, ensuring all Australians have equitable access to health care when they need it, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay,” he stated.
Anyone who’s due for a alternative card will mechanically be despatched one within the new design when their card expires.
People eager to get their palms on the particular version of the cardboard can request one or log onto the Medicare Express Plus app the place the digital model will replace mechanically.
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten described the brand new card as an opportunity to get “a little piece of history in your wallet”.
“If you’ve been putting off updating who’s on your Medicare card, it’s a great opportunity to do so,” he stated.
The card’s format will stay the identical, with a small “40 year anniversary” brand added to the highest left nook, and a small tweak to the Medicare brand on the highest proper of the cardboard.
The background has been simplified, with the watermarked background pared again to cowl lower than half of the cardboard in a extra primary design.
Medicare was launched on February 1, 1984 to assist cowl the prices of Australians well being care after Labor’s first try at a common well being scheme, Medibank, was dismantled by the Fraser authorities.
Last 12 months, the federal government took its first steps in direction of an overhaul of the system to take strain off hospitals and make major care extra reasonably priced.
Mr Butler stated Medicare was an integral a part of the healthcare system that have to be protected.
“It was a Labor government that built Medicare and it is only a Labor government who will continue to protect and strengthen Medicare,” he stated.
Originally printed as Chance to get ‘history in your wallet’ as Medicare rolls out model new card to mark fortieth birthday
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
