In a major pre-election promise, the federal government has vowed to make doctor visits free for all Australians by 2030.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Labor will invest $8.5 billion over four years to introduce universal bulk-billing, making nine out of 10 GP visits completely free.
What Does This Mean for You?
Under the plan, Australians will only need their Medicare card to receive healthcare, not their credit card.
“I want every Australian to know they can access the healthcare they need without breaking the bank,” Albanese said.
This move is set to extend bulk-billing bonuses to all adults, not just children and concession cardholders.
How Will It Work?
To make this happen, Labor will incentivise doctors and clinics to bulk-bill all their patients with extra funding.
They’ll also boost the GP workforce by offering 400 nursing scholarships and 2000 new GP trainees a year by 2028.
This is expected to increase the number of 100% bulk-billed practices to 4800, saving patients a whopping $859 million every year by 2030.
A Historic Investment in Medicare
This proposal marks the single biggest investment in Medicare since its creation in 1984.
Currently, about 80% of GPs don’t accept bulk billing for generic appointments, so this change is set to make a huge difference for Aussies.
Albanese will unveil the full plan today in Tasmania, outlining the details of this major health reform.
What’s Next?
With this promise, Labor is sending a strong message about its commitment to healthcare. As Albanese said, “Labor built Medicare, we will protect it and improve it for all Australians.”
If you’re eager to learn more about this plan and how it will affect you, stay tuned for further updates.
This could be a game-changer for Aussie healthcare, and we’re excited to see how it unfolds.