Promise of bulk-billing, more doctors

MEDICAL advocacy bodies have welcomed the roll-out of bulk-billing to all Australians but a local GP has warned of a critical GP shortage if not addressed as a priority. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered Labor's major election promise as an instrument to help reduce the cost of living while also addressing key health sector challenges in affordability and accessibility for everyday Australians. Under the plan Labor said nine out of 10 GP visits will be free from out-of-pocket expenses by 2030 under an $8.5 billion Medicare election funding promise. Labor said will deliver more doctors and nurses into Medicare, with 400 nursing scholarships and the largest GP training program in Australian history, funding the training of 2000 new GP trainees a year by 2028. Indi MP Helen Haines welcomed the government’s announcement that will deliver 18 million bulk billed GP visits each year, more nursing scholarships and more places for GP training programs. "This announcement could be a positive step towards reducing the persistent, intergenerational healthcare inequities experienced by rural Australians," Dr Haines said. "If re-elected as the Independent Member for Indi, I will be watching closely to ensure these measures meaningfully address the shortfalls in regional and rural Australia." Dr Haines made special note of the $265.2 million to expand GP training must include Rural Generalist training places, "so that we get more GPs in the bush". She also said $48.4 million for an extra 100 Commonwealth Supported Places for medical students must include places in universities like LaTrobe University and University of Melbourne’s Rural Medical Pathway, which enables medical students to stay in their communities while they study and train to become a doctor, increasing their likelihood of staying and working in rural areas. "As a former nurse, midwife and health research, I have long advocated that training rural students close to home is the most effective way to get more rural doctors," she said. Liberal candidate for Indi James Trenery said it has never been harder and more expensive to see a doctor than it is right now. "GP bulk billing has collapsed from 88 per cent under the Liberals to 77pc under Anthony Albanese, " Mr Trenery said. "Last financial year alone there were 40 million fewer bulk billed GP visits under Labor, in comparison to the Liberal's last year in government. "To address this, a Dutton Liberal government will invest $9 billion into Medicare to address Labor’s healthcare crisis and ensure Australians have timely, affordable access to a doctor. "We will match the $8.5 billion investment into Medicare dollar-for-dollar to fix Labor’s mess and restore bulk billing back up to Coalition levels. "We have also previously announced that we will invest $500 million to restore critical Medicare funding for mental health support, after it was slashed in half by the Albanese government."

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