Local MPs Stephen Jones and Sharon Bird have written to Federal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis to invite her to stand up for the patients of the Shoalhaven and speak at the Save Medicare rally to be held in Wollongong this Saturday.

I find it impossible to believe that people in Ms Sudmalis electorate are saying anything different to her about the GP Tax than they are to Sharon Bird and myself, said Jones.

There is enormous community concern about the impact the recent budget will have on the health and hospital system in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

Sharon Bird and I believe that a united regional voice, in defence of Medicare is our best chance of changing the Abbott Governments proposals to dismantle universal healthcare.

Sharon Bird says she and Stephen Jones wrote to Ms Sudmalis this week inviting her to join them and hundreds of concerned locals at the Save Medicare rally to be held at midday on Saturday 24 May at the Civic Plaza in Wollongong.

We estimate that from our three electorates of Gilmore, Throsby and Cunningham, Tony Abbotts GP Tax could cost patients almost $20 million in the first year alone, said Ms Bird.

Thats a huge slug for people who can least afford it including pensioners, parents, unemployed, low income earners, people with a disability, even veterans.

Stephen Jones says almost 85 per cent of basic GP visits in Gilmore are bulk billed.

Ms Sudmalis should know that patients on the South Coast already struggle to get access to the basic medical care that city-dwellers take for granted, said Jones.

Slugging them with a GP Tax is not the answer. It will just deter local patients from getting medical attention when they need it most.

Sharon Bird and I strongly believe that its your Medicare card, not your credit card that should determine when you can see a doctor.

We strongly urge Ann Sudmalis to join us on Saturday to stand up for local patients and say no to Tony Abbotts unfair attack on Medicare.