Ophthalmic Surgeons across the region, including those practicing at the Lithgow Medical Centre, are hopeful of putting a convincing case in the interests of patients when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Health Minister Nicola Roxon are in Bathurst next Monday.

They have agreed to meet a delegation of eye surgery professionals to hear concerns about Federal Government plans to slash Medicare rebates for various procedures.

The cuts were due to take effect from November 1 but the Bill was rejected in the Senate.

A modified version is about to be re-submitted and if adapted will leave patients seriously out of pocket. It is strongly opposed by the AMA.

Of most concern in the treatment of eye disease is the plan to halve the MBS fee for cataract surgery.

A spokesman for the Lithgow Doctors said yesterday that both privately insured and public patients will be hundreds of dollars out of pocket.

Under the proposed schedule it is the private patients most heavily hit.

This in turn will impact on the State health budget.

“They’re hopeful of saving $300 for the Federal Government on each cataract procedure but will pass on the cost to everyone else down the line,” the doctor told the Lithgow Mercury.

On Monday the doctors hope to convince the Prime Minister and his Health Minister of the grass roots implication of the cost cutting measure.