I had half started a letter about our outrage at the Abbott government's proposed cutbacks to the Medicare levy (I believe the plan was for it to reduce to around $10 by July) when I was beaten by the government's latest backflip.

But I will continue my letter anyway as it is clear that this is only a temporary reprieve by the government and that they intend to continue with their plans to demolish Medicare and punish the less fortunate.

I am chronically ill, in a wheelchair permanently and need to visit the doctor or specialist sometimes as many as three times a week.

The practice I go to has now stopped bulk billing as they can no longer afford it (I am sure this is due to the government cutback of bulk billing rebates amounts to doctors).

There is no other doctor now in my town who bulk bills. I must make a doctors appointment even to get a prescription.

Specialist rebates have also been reduced.

I note that Joe Hockey has backflipped on his pledge to tighten tax laws around multi nationals sending their profits overseas because this would make things too difficult for business at this time.

I want to know why the heavy lifting is being forced onto people who are very sick, living in areas with limited access to health choices and who are least able to cope financially.

Is this a deliberate policy to favour the well off over the less fortunate - or is it simply an oversight from poor planning?

Either way it suggests a government which is seriously out of touch with the needs of its society or seriously dysfunctional.

Bruce Mumford

Moss Vale