One-fifth of Australians report that their GP has stopped bulk-billing and more than half say they go to a doctor who charges them out-of-pocket expenses, amid mounting pressure from the medical industry on the federal government to raise the Medicare rebate.
More than three-quarters of Australians support increasing the rebate to encourage more GPs to offer bulk-billing, out-polling both increased hospital funding and out-of-hours clinics as a way to fix the crisis.
The exclusive findings in the Resolve Political Monitor comes ahead of a national cabinet meeting on Friday where state leaders will ask Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reform Medicare.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews have united to pressure the federal government to improve access to GPs, including by changing Medicare schedule rebates that have failed to keep up with inflation.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler last week hinted the government would not make any substantial increases to rebates, saying a review of medical funding will aim to improve the system rather than “simply adding more money to the existing structures”.
The final report from the Strengthening Medicare federal taskforce – which includes academics, allied health and nursing associations – will be finalised within weeks and will inform the government’s response heading into the May budget.
Only 47 per cent of respondents to the Resolve poll said that their GP still bulk-bills, and 18 per cent said their GP used to bulk-bill but doesn’t anymore.
Seventy-three per cent said their medical expenses have increased this year, resulting in about half of them either delaying or cancelling treatment or searching around for cheaper options.
The Australian Medical Association is calling on the government to revise indexation to ensure rebates better reflect the rising costs of providing medical care and running a practice, which it says would encourage more GPs to bulk-bill.
AMA president Steve Robson said access to GPs was becoming a bigger challenge by the day.
“We expect this to be a focus of discussion when national cabinet’s meets to talk about our ailing health system,” he said.
“The federal health minister has recently acknowledged, yet again, how critical this issue has become. Now he must act. The time for talking is done.”
When taking into account inflation and the growing population, Robson said the average government contribution to Medicare claims have fallen in real terms by more than 5 per cent over the past two decades, placing significant cost pressures on doctors.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Nicole Higgins said the poll results “shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone”.
“Government must give general practice a much-needed investment boost so that all patients can get the care they need when they need it,” she said. “Otherwise, the entire healthcare system will continue to come under extraordinary pressure.“
“This week’s National Cabinet meeting is the perfect opportunity for our leaders to take decisive action.”
Butler said primary healthcare was in its worst shape since Medicare began and that he had asked the Health Department to provide him with a complete and more accurate picture of bulk-billing in Australia.
“The reality is, after nine years of cuts and neglect from the former government, it’s never been harder or more expensive for Australians to see a GP,” he said.
“The Albanese government is committed to investing in general practice and strengthening Medicare.”
The Resolve poll showed 82 per cent of Australians either support or strongly support raising the Medicare rebate.
When asked to choose the top priority for additional funding, 46 per cent said it should be raising the medicare rebate; while 29 per cent named increased hospital funding; and 16 per cent said setting up a network of out-of-hours medical clinics.
Resolve director Jim Reed said the issue of declining bulk-billing rates cuts across the two biggest concerns for both Coalition and Labor voters.
“People do appreciate the government is tightening up the purse strings, but this is one of those issues that goes across two important issues: cost of living and healthcare,” he said.
“Even if you don’t happen to be in one of those older age categories, there is such a thing as caring for others in our society. Younger people have parents and grandparents.”
The Resolve Political Monitor surveyed 1606 eligible voters between January 17 and January 22.
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