It has never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor, as the data points to a primary care system at crisis point under the Albanese Labor Government.
It is clear that affordable access to a doctor is only getting worse, as Labor oversees the worst GP bulk billing rates in a decade.
I am really concerned 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, paying their bills or visiting their GP.
Labor has slashed Medicare support for mental health patients in half, they have cut 70 telehealth items from Medicare, and patients are now having to pay more from their own pockets to see a doctor.
To make matters worse, we know that a weaker primary care system places even more pressure on our already over-burdened hospitals, increasing wait times at local emergency departments.
The people of Flynn cannot afford this Government’s inaction on health in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
The Coalition is focused on holding Labor to account to ensure all Australians have timely access to critical healthcare when they need it.
The Coalition introduced permanent and universal telehealth, which was the most significant reform to Medicare since it was established. This saw more than 100 million new telehealth services delivered, ensuring greater and more flexible access to healthcare support for over 17 million Australians between March 2020 and May 2022.
The Coalition doubled funding for public hospitals from $13.3 billion in 2012-13 to $27.2 billion in 2022-23, growing to $32.7 billion in 2025-26.
The Coalition listed and invested in more than 2,900 new or amended lifesaving and life-changing medicine listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, representing an average of around 30 listings per month.
The Coalition will announce further health policies that will benefit rural and regional Australia ahead of the next federal election as we know every region deserves a world class health service.
