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On Value of Medicare …
Media release – Australian Medical Association, 1 February 2024
Medicare anniversary data proof that investing in Medicare reaps rewards
Early bulk billing data released today — on the 40th anniversary of Medicare — is encouraging proof of the value of investing in Australia’s universal health scheme.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said the AMA had argued repeatedly through its Modernise Medicare campaign for improved indexation of all Medicare rebates and additional funding for primary care.
“We had a plan to Modernise Medicare and the government listened, making a significant downpayment of around $6 billion for primary care — including bulk billing incentives and increasing rebates — in last year’s budget,” Professor Robson said.
“We advocated for additional funding because we knew it would make a difference. These early bulk billing statistics are encouraging signs that the investment is starting to deliver for many patients.
“The decision to triple the bulk billing incentive for most standard GP consultations means vulnerable people in our communities — particularly in rural and regional areas — are benefiting from Medicare being given some long overdue attention.”
Professor Robson said while the investment in Medicare had delivered results and appears to have arrested the decline of bulk billing rates in general practice, further reform and investment was needed to ensure the system continued to support improved access and affordability for patients.
“Medicare is like a cherished family home that’s in need of a renovation — it’s still liveable, but 40 years on, the health needs of the community have changed significantly putting additional pressure on the scheme.
“The upcoming budget is a chance to double down on the success of the incentives and investment delivered last year and invest further in Medicare. We now have the early proof that investing in the right way in Medicare can deliver returns.
“There is more work to be done. This government has inherited years of neglect, and while it took some very significant steps in the last budget, Medicare has not kept up with the changing health environment, and more needs to be done, including through improved funding arrangements.
“We must adapt it to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, across the full spectrum care — both for general practice and non-GP specialist care.
“But today’s figures remind us that on its 40th anniversary, Medicare is still a national treasure — it simply needs the attention and investment Australia’s patients deserve.”
Media release – RACGP – Royal Australian College of GPs, 1 Feb 2024
Boosting Medicare subsidies for patients gets results
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed new data showing a 2.1% increase in bulk billing for vulnerable patients nationally as evidence that boosting patients’ Medicare subsidies gets results.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins welcomed the news on Medicare’s 40th birthday.
“We called last year’s Budget a gamechanger because it was the biggest investment in general practice care in decades. And funding gets results,” she said.
“Now we have the data to show it – a 2.1% increase in bulk billing nationally since the government’s tripling of bulk billing incentives for healthcare card holders, pensioners and children went live in November. And bigger increases in some places, including 5.7% in Tasmania, and more than 4% in regional Queensland. Some of the highest increases are in regional areas, which reflects the higher bulk billing incentives for vulnerable patients in regional Australia.
“The RACGP called for the tripling of the bulk billing incentives to provide urgently needed relief to the most at-risk people in Australia, who are being squeezed from all sides with the cost-of-living crisis.
“Last year’s Budget was the first step to strengthen Medicare. There is still a long way to go to repair the decades of cuts and neglect.
“Today Medicare turns 40. This is Australia’s public health insurance scheme, and it changed the course of health in our country. It’s why we have higher life expectancy and better health than many comparable countries, like the US.
“When Medicare started in 1984, it was designed to subsidise the costs of patient care for Australians by about 85%, and the patient paid the rest, which is the gap fee. Many Australians don’t realise Medicare rebates belong to the patient – it’s a subsidy, to help pay for your care.
“But after all the cuts and underfunding, the gap between patients’ rebates and the full costs of patient care has grown too wide. This is why our hospitals are under pressure, because when people can’t afford the care they need, they get sicker, and it ends up costing governments and taxpayers much more.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the government on further health reforms and strengthening Medicare to better meet the needs of patients today, and in the future. We can and should make our health system more cost-effective and ensure all Australians can access affordable care from a GP to live healthier and longer.”