Labor promises to cut cancer chemotherapy co-payment

March 3, 2015, 10:30 p.m.

Labor's plan to scrap the chemotherapy co-payment has been welcomed by the Cancer Council.

State Labor's plan to scrap the chemotherapy co-payment has been welcomed by Cancer Council NSW South Region spokeswoman Tina Hunt.

Ms Hunt said abolishing the co-payment was one of five issues Cancer Council NSW had identified in its statewide campaign, Saving Life: Vision for Change.

She welcomed Keira MP Ryan Park's announcement on Monday that the co-payment for the life-saving treatment would be abolished if Labor won this month's state election.

The shadow minister for the Illawarra said a Labor government would provide $6.2 million to ensure that chemotherapy was free to all cancer patients in NSW public hospitals.

"It is heartening to see political parties acknowledge the financial burden on cancer patients, and recognise the role that state government can play in helping patients and carers at a difficult time in their lives," Ms Hunt said.

"We know that some cancer patients can pay up to $180 in co-payment fees for their initial chemotherapy treatment and may be charged even more for further treatment.

"Removing this financial cost will help ease the burden for cancer patients and their families."

Ms Hunt said over the past seven months Cancer Council supporters had held over 100 meetings with local MPs and candidates about the five issues where state government action would make the most difference to cancer.

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Labor promises to cut cancer chemotherapy co-payment