This week, the Abbott government revealed its plans for the new system, doing away with 17 Medicare Local regions in NSW and replacing them with just nine Primary Health Networks (PHN).

It is a slap in the face to those who have worked so hard to make the Medicare Local model work in our region, and means that the area covered by the former Murrumbidgee Medicare Local (MML) is now part of a massive region which covers more than half a million square kilometres more than eight times the size of Tasmania.

There is no way the federal government can justify the impact this will have on our region.

Federal member Michael McCormack this week tried to defend the decision, claiming that the whole program was aimed at reducing unnecessary waste and health bureaucracies.

But even he had to concede that size of the PHN servicing his electorate was concerning.

And that is one of the understatements of the year.

As was revealed in yesterday's edition of The Daily Advertiser, such is expanse of the new PHN it would take someone travelling by car 15 hours to make the journey from Tumbarumba in the south east to Tibooburra in the north west.

The federal government may achieve its stated outcome of saving money and creating greater accountability, but it will be impossible for such a large area to receive anything like the service those in this region currently receive from the MML.

Under the leadership of Nancye Piercy, MML has introduced several major initiatives which have made a real difference to health care in this region.

Things such as the after hours GP service are highly valued and have proven to be a great success.

It is difficult to see how any organisation can cover such a vast geographic area footprint and produce great outcomes.

It's one thing to devise a plan to save money, but this will come at a cost.

Sadly for our region, it has the potential to undo all the great work of a dedicated, professional and creative organisation such as MML.