Coalition fights to keep CDDS

The Federal Coalition said it would move a disallowance motion in the hope of retaining the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme until an alternative scheme is operating. The scheme closes on 30 November and there will be no care for adult patients covered by the CDDS until they join public dental waiting lists in July 20145.
Shadow Health Minister Mr Peter Dutton said “cancer sufferers, heart patients and other chronic disease sufferers can’t wait two years or more for dental treatment”.
Mr Dutton believes a bi-partisan approach on dental is still achievable, if Labor re-discovers its concern for the disadvantaged, particularly low income chronic disease sufferers.
“The Coalition is committed to investment in dental. If transitional arrangements take into account the welfare of existing patients – then there will be an opportunity for bi-partisanship,” he said.