A new report by Cleanbill has exposed Labor’s health failure, revealing it is getting harder and more expensive to see a bulk-billed GP.Under the Albanese Labor Government, data continues to point to a primary care system at crisis point with the number of Australians accessing bulk billed GP appointments at the lowest level in a decade.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton said the shocking statistics were reflective of the cost pressures being felt by locals.
“We have seen in the Cleanbill report that on average out of pocket costs have increased from $33.65 to $40,” Mr Hamilton said.
“This is a significant increase to access healthcare and see your local GP at a time when people can least afford it,” Mr Hamilton said.
“Labor promised to strengthen Medicare and they are doing the opposite, the numbers are in and they are damning of the Albanese Government,” Mr Hamilton said.The Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator
Anne Ruston, said that affordable healthcare has never been more important than during the current cost-of-living crisis, but bulk billing is still collapsing despite all the taxpayer funds the Government has thrown at it.
“Once again, the Government clearly prioritised headlines with their bulk billing incentive measure, instead of delivering real and practical solutions like addressing the current workforce crisis.
“We know that 1.2 million Australians avoided seeing a doctor last year due to cost, as they were forced to choose between putting food on the table and paying their bills or visiting their GP.
“Mark Butler is misleading Australians about the Government’s success on affordable healthcare, but the statistics tell the real story,” Senator Ruston said.
Right now, the GP bulk billing rate right now under Labor is 77.7% – This compares to 84% under Peter Dutton as Health Minister and 88.5% when the Coalition left office.
Australians cannot afford for the Government’s inaction on this crisis to continue. Not only is it pushing up out-of-pocket costs for struggling households, but a weakened primary care system will also place additional pressure on already over-burdened hospitals.
ENDS.
