There are fears as the government seeks to achieve its budget savings with cutbacks to NDIS access, those who need support won't receive it. A new survey has found not all those with multiple sclerosis have access to the scheme - and for those who do, they face constant misunderstandings about their condition.
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TRANSCRIPT
In this year's federal budget, the Treasurer announced plans for just over $63 billion in savings - with much of that coming from scaling back access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
"A big part of our savings package will restore the NDIS to its original intent and secure its future, so it grows in a sustainable way in line with programs like Medicare. This difficult but necessary reform will save $37.8 billion over the forward estimates."
Tensions remain as the details of the foundational supports some participants will be moved to are worked out, including who pays for what.
The Prime Minister has previously said a public safety net will be ready in time to catch an estimated 160,000 Australians who will be kicked off the multibillion-dollar scheme.
But Premier Chris Minns maintains the New South Wales public health system will not be able to provide a 'like-for-like' level of care.
"I understand the reason for reform from the federal government, and I'm not like some other state leaders, hammering them for making the changes. I understand that it needs to be as best as possible, an affordable program. But we also have to be honest with people. If they're not going to be provided with NDIS support, we can't provide equivalent care in the state system."
Meanwhile, disability groups remain worried about access to the scheme for those who still need it.
Acting Chief Executive of People with Disability Australia, Megan Spindler-Smith, has previously said the community remains wary of the reform process.
"It is extremely important that we are not forgotten in these changes especially when we are being let down at this time."
A new survey conducted by MS Australia has found only 68 per cent of more 900 respondents have access to the NDIS.
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disability where the body's immune system attacks cells in the brain.
Chief executive of MS Australia, Rohan Greenland, says some staff and assessors from the scheme misunderstand the condition, and what support those with the condition actually require.
"We are seeing inconsistency and the approaches to people living with that, with MS, often people are even asked, you know, you still got MS, we have people who say that, and it's not a curable disease, it's a disease that progressively gets worse over time, so we are finding that understanding amongst the NDIS staff and assessors, and it's just not practical in getting good plans to help people with multiple sclerosis."
Rohan Greenland says there are hopes the NDIS can still be accessible.
"We are very keen to work with government, I think the minister has very good intentions, and we know there's a lot of hot pressures in NDIS, but we really hope that we will work together to get some arrangements in place that can not only achieve sustainability, but actually make it a better NDIS for people living with MS and other similar neurological conditions."
