Perversely, it is anger of this nature that worked to reduce the...

Perversely, it is anger of this nature that worked to reduce the cataract rebate cut backs in 2010! Politics becomes really important if that is what we are dealing with here; the Libs Peter Dutton was quite vocal for the doctors in supporting them, including the Grandma's out there ('Grandma not happy' national advertising campaign).

If you are a shareholder and the announcement is cut backs, the best way to deliver value to VEI is likely to be by jumping on the phone and calling your local member, repeatedly, particularly if you are in a marginal Labor seat!

It is understood the doctors' association for opthalmologists may be supporting changes to the rebates at some level, accepting that nurses can administer it to patients cheaper than the doctor specialists etc. That would make it interesting, where the VEI network would continue to earn the rebate income without a 65% haircut going to the doctors.