Medicare
- Opinion
- Australia votes
To make Medicare healthy again, our leaders must treat these worrying symptoms
Universal health care is expensive and getting more so, which is a problem when politicians like appearing to cut taxes and never increase them or introduce new ones.
- Ross Gittins
Latest
Free GP visits for all? Even with an $8.5b top-up, it depends on where you live
Doctors are warning Australians to temper their expectations as they fear patients will be disappointed when most city clinics keep charging gap fees.
- Natassia Chrysanthos, Daniel Lo Surdo and Madeleine Heffernan
Dutton says $24 billion from public service jobs will pay for bulk-billing boost
The Coalition has been coy about the precise number of jobs it will cut if elected, but Dutton on Monday confirmed that winding back 36,000 workers would be key.
- Natassia Chrysanthos and Shane Wright
Dutton matches Labor’s $8.5b for free GPs to ward off ‘Mediscare’
The election has not yet been called and both parties have pledged $8.5 billion for GP visits despite pledging to rein in costs.
- Natassia Chrysanthos
All Australians to get bulk-billing boost under Labor’s $8.5b plans for health reform
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make it cheaper to see a doctor by paying GPs more if they bulk-bill all adult patients in a major election pitch to middle Australia.
- Natassia Chrysanthos
- Exclusive
- Healthcare
GPs believe this one change to bulk-billing could save Australians $42 a visit
Analysis suggests that extending bulk-billing incentives to under-35s would save young people $42 a visit in average doctor’s fees, while preventing 9000 hospitalisations.
- Natassia Chrysanthos
PM throws states a $1.7 billion lifeline to save hospitals
The Albanese government seeks to prove its commitment to Medicare before the upcoming election – while holding out on a fresh five-year deal with the states.
- Natassia Chrysanthos
He’s been an arsonist and artist, now he’s on a mission to change lives
Damien Linnane’s 10-month stay in prison led him on a journey to overhaul an outdated healthcare system. Only one thing stands in the way.
- Angus Thomson
The Sydney suburbs missing out on free GP visits
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the collapse of bulk-billing was putting pressure on the state’s hospitals and urged the federal government to prioritise Medicare reform.
- Angus Thomson
- Exclusive
- ALP
What bulk-billing? The group missing out on cheaper GP visits
Children and older Australians were better off last year under the government’s $3.5 billion boost to bulk-billing. But adults aged 16 to 64 are paying more.
- Natassia Chrysanthos
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/medicare-jr6