Inquiry gives Medicare changes go ahead

A Senate committee has given its tick of approval to legislation that critics say will put the lives of mentally ill people at risk.

The proposed legislation, currently before the lower house, will replace existing Medicare safety nets with one that will be accessible to more people, but with new limits on what out-of-pocket costs can accumulate toward reaching the safety net.

The committee has recommended the bill be passed, with a review within five years of commencement to ensure any shortcomings are resolved.

In a separate dissenting report, Labor said it would not support the bill amid concerns with how it would impact on cancer patients, those needing long-term psychiatric treatment and those accessing assisted reproductive technology services.

The committee was told victims of child sex abuse could be at risk of suicide if the changes went ahead, claiming it would make psychotherapy sessions unaffordable for anyone requiring intensive treatment.

It also heard evidence that out-of-pocket costs for cancer patients receiving radiotherapy would double.