"Labor’s $8.5 Billion Boost: Strengthening Medicare with More Bulk Billing, Doctors & Nurses"

Strengthening Medicare: More Bulk Billing, More Doctors, More Nurses

A re-elected Albanese Labor Government is set to make history with the single largest investment in Medicare since its inception over 40 years ago. This $8.5 billion investment aims to deliver an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits each year, introduce hundreds of nursing scholarships, and train thousands of new doctors.

What This Means for Australians

This transformative plan is designed to ease financial burdens on Australian patients and families by significantly reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs. By 2030, patient savings are expected to reach $859 million annually.

Labor’s investment also seeks to rectify past funding reductions, restoring the $8.3 billion that the Australian Medical Association reports was cut from Medicare due to a funding freeze initiated by Peter Dutton a decade ago.

Expanding Bulk Billing for All Australians

For the first time, Labor will expand bulk billing incentives to all Australians, ensuring that more people can access GP services without worrying about expenses. Key aspects of the initiative include:

Expansion of Bulk Billing Incentives:

 Labor had already tripled bulk billing incentives for pensioners, concession cardholders, and families with children, restoring bulk billing for 11 million Australians. From 1 November, this support will be extended to all Australians.

New Incentive Payment for Fully Bulk-Billing Practices:

 A new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program will be introduced, providing a 12.5% loading payment on Medicare rebates for clinics that bulk bill all patients. This initiative aims to increase the number of fully bulk-billed practices to approximately 4,800 nationwide—three times the current figure.

Investing in Healthcare Professionals

To strengthen Medicare, Labor is also focusing on increasing the number of healthcare professionals. This initiative includes:

400 nursing scholarships to support aspiring nurses and bolster the workforce.

The largest GP training program in Australian history, aiming to train 2,000 new GP trainees per year by 2028.

Commitment to a Stronger Medicare

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated:

“Labor built Medicare, we will protect it and improve it for all Australians. I want every Australian to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the healthcare they need.”

“No Australian should have to check their bank balance before seeing a doctor. That is not who we are. That is not the future we want for Australia.”

Health Minister Mark Butler added:

“No more wondering if you need to reach for your Medicare card or your credit card: Labor will put back into Medicare every dollar that Peter Dutton’s rebate freeze took out.”

“Peter Dutton tried to end bulk billing with a GP tax and then started a six-year freeze to Medicare rebates that froze GP incomes and stripped billions out of Medicare. There is no question that when it comes to Medicare, you’ll be worse off under Dutton.”

What This Means for You

The Labor Government’s commitment to strengthening Medicare will ensure that more Australians can access healthcare without financial strain. By increasing bulk billing availability, expanding training for healthcare professionals, and restoring crucial funding, this initiative represents a major step toward making Australia’s healthcare system more accessible, affordable, and efficient.

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