From: Angela Ryder <
To: "" <>,
Cc: "" <>, "Simon Hollingsworth" <>, Matt >, Anthony Moore <
Date: 18/07/2014 12:37
Subject: FW: Athletes and Medicare Funding Issue [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Jaye,
I am available to attend on behalf of the ASC. My branch will be responsible for communicating information on this topic to NSOs.
Best regards
______
Angela Ryder
Deputy Director (Performance Investment)
Australian Institute of Sport
Australian Sports Commission
From: Simon Hollingsworth
Sent: Friday, 18 July 2014 12:25 PM
To:
Cc: ; Angela Ryder; Matt Favier; Anthony Moore
Subject: Re: Athletes and Medicare Funding Issue [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Jaye
Excellent approach and I think a good way to keep all sports informed. Even if it ultimately only affects a small number of pro sports, the need to communicate with all sports important and will prevent misinformation. Angela Ryder is acting for Matt and will either attend or identify the right person from AIS to go along.
Thanks for being proactive on this. See you in Glasgow.
Simon
Sent from my iPad
From: David Hughes
Sent: Tuesday, 5 August 2014 4:08 PM
To: Adam Gerasimou
Subject: RE: Required by COB - Friday 1st August - Medicare - Update
Adam
At Simon’s suggestion, I rang Jaye Smith about this matter on 20 June. Mr Smith asked me to send through a letter outlining my concerns. I did so (e-mail attached). I have not heard back from Mr Smith or anyone else in the Department of Health since then.
I spoke with [NAME REDACTED] today. He has had discussions with the Department of Health. Dr [NAME REDACTED] told me that he has simply been informed that athletes who draw the majority of their income from their sport are not eligible for Medicare payments in relation to any injuries arising from sport. He has not been provided with any written material which outlines the definition of a professional athlete. All athletes will continue to have access to Medicare for non-sport-related issues such as illnesses or accidents that occur independent of their sporting activities.
I hope this makes sense.
Regards
David
From: Adam Gerasimou
Sent: Monday, 28 July 2014 2:09 PM
To: David Hughes
Cc: Rebecca Richter
Subject: Required by COB - Friday 1st August - Medicare - Update
Importance: High
Hi David,
As you may be aware the next ASC Board meeting will be held on 14 August. The board have requested an update to the Medicare discussions, in light of the email below from ASC board member [NAME REDACTED].
Apart from the attached has there been any update or progression on discussions through the Office for Sport?
If so could you please send me a brief response on any updates by COB - Friday 1st August.
Regards
Adam Gerasimou
Project Officer (Board and AIS)
Office of the CEO/AIS
Australian Sports Commission
ausport.gov.au
From: Simon Hollingsworth <
To: [REDACTED}, Matt >, Susan Garrido <>, "" <>,
Cc: "john.wylie" <John.Wylie
Date: 17/07/2014 10:26
Subject: RE: Athletes and Medicare Funding Issue [SEC=No Protective Marking]
Sure [REDACTED]
Dr David Hughes has been aware and is monitoring on this issue together with the Office for Sport and Dept of Health as there has been a fair bit of misinformation out there. As I understand it the issue primarily affects the AFL and NRL. We’ll provide an update at the Board meeting.
Best
Simon
______
Simon Hollingsworth
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Sports Commission
Tel: +61 2 6214 1101
ausport.gov.au
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From: [NAME REDACTED]
Sent: Thursday, 17 July 2014 10:19 AM
To: Simon Hollingsworth
Cc: john.wylie
Subject: Athletes and Medicare Funding Issue
Hi Simon,
Would it be possible to get an update on this issue either via email or at the next Board Meeting.
I am getting large numbers of people contacting me in regards to this and I can see their concerns. Athletes, parents and sports are a bit confused and a angry, that as tax payers they won't (might not) be able to claim medicare for medical/physical care moving forward. It seems there is also quite a lot of confusion across the industry too, about how and when this will apply and to who exactly....so I think the ASC might have to provide some clarity.
For athletes who incur serious injuries requiring surgery and/or long rehab's that will require multiple practitioners, many are worried they might not be able to afford to return to their sport....especially if they sustain multiple injuries through their career or incur any generally expected injuries that require ongoing physio and massage over the term of an athletes competitive life. For our pathway athletes who don't have national team access to medical staff on the road, they will struggle to cover costs, or simply forgo treatment that will allow them to maximise recovery and move through the ranks. It seems odd, that government would deny this right to athletes who represent their country and then give them DAS, which will now mostly go to covering medical bills.
I'm sure I have over simplified, but there is genuine concern and I was hoping that the ASC could take the lead in communicating the reality of this situation, and if need be, work with our Minister to correct this hardship on Australian athletes, their families and our NSOs.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks,
[NAME REDACTED]