I have welcomed our government's changes to the proposed GP co-payment, which are in line with what I was calling for in August.After conducting a number of seniors forums across my region and listening to the views of those who attended, I issued a call for an exemption from the $7 GP co-payment for pensioners.The Liberal National Government has listened to this feedback and made some good changes to this important policy.The proposal we have now is a result of a strong democratic process where good policy is made even better through feedback from the community.The changes will mean pensioners, children under 16 and veterans will not have to pay the co-payment.A $5 reduction in the Medicare rebate may be passed on to others at the discretion of the doctor.The essence of the policy remains the same but there are better outcomes for people who would find it difficult to pay for a doctor’s visit.The cost of providing health care is spiralling up all the time while the Medicare levy covers only a fraction of that cost.The new policy will still create a price signal, which will help make our health system sustainable, while maintaining free health care for the most vulnerable.