Mark Butler says government won’t add ‘more money to the existing system’ despite calls from doctors for urgent extra funding
Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPPhotograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPThe federal health minister, Mark Butler, has all but ruled out substantial increases to the Medicare rebate to encourage more GPs to offer bulk billing, saying a review of medical funding will aim to reform the system rather than “simply adding more money to the existing structures”.
“Reforms needs to happen, but we’re hearing general practice is on its knees. It’s at a crisis point with practices closing and patients facing increasing out-of-pocket costs,” the AMA vice-president, Danielle McMullen, said.Butler will within weeks release the report of the government’s Strengthening Medicare taskforce, a group of medical organisations and health experts that has recommended ways to address hospitals, primary care and chronic conditions.
However, despite calls from the AMA for a “three-figure-percentage increase” to the rebate for GPs, or more than a doubling, Butler downplayed the potential for significant increases to the payments given to doctors, saying the focus was more on updating services.“I have also been clear that more of the same is simply not going to cut it. Strengthening Medicare means also modernising Medicare,” he said.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Health Minister Mark Butler to speak on Medicare system funding overhaulThis afternoon the Health Minister Mark Butler will front the media to talk about his plans for an overhaul of the country's Medicare system. Sky News Political Reporter Joel Philp says the government has ramped up its Medicare system criticism and marked a funding overhaul with medical groups coming out in support for the measures. “Medical groups have come out in support for this overhaul saying that universal healthcare in Australia is under threat,” Mr Philp said. “The Health Minister Mark Butler is also expected to talk about the issues facing other aspects within Medicare.”
Read more »
Australia's Medicare set for its biggest shakeup | 7NEWSMedicare is set for its biggest shakeup in decades with the health minister planning a major overhaul. Labor is planning to give people better access to healthcare and slash wait times at hospitals and GPs. Medicare 7NEWS
Read more »
PM Albanese leads historic Medicare overhaulA crippling doctor shortage, decline in bulk billing and greater costs and demand has forced the Labor Government to revamp an outdated Medicare system.
Read more »
Medicare to undergo biggest funding overhaul in 40 year historyNurses, paramedics and allied health professionals will soon be included in the delivery of primary care as Medicare faces the biggest overhaul in its 40-year history. auspol 7NEWS
Read more »
Medicare facing biggest overhaul in 40 years amid rising feesAn upcoming report from the recommends changing the current funding model to include care provided by nurses and paramedics. 9News
Read more »