Bulk-bill ad rekindles ALP’s Mediscare row

Pathologists have reignited the battle over bulk billing that erupted during the 2016 Labor ‘Medi­scare’ campaign.

Pathologists have reignited the battle over bulk billing that erupted during the 2016 Labor “Medi­scare” campaign, launching a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign claiming access to free blood testing will collapse if the Coalition doesn’t boost funding.

The ad, authorised by the Pathology Providers of Australia, claims “pathology services have not received an increase in government funding for 20 years”. “Soon, we will no longer be able to afford to bulk bill,” it says.

“So many Australians will simply not be able to afford the tests they need. That will cost Australians’ lives. Saving pathology bulk billing will save lives.

“Bill Shorten has agreed to increase the funding. What about you, Mr Morrison?”

A media buyer confirmed to The Australian that the ads started running nationally on social media and commercial network television on Monday night. They said the campaign would start slowly and ramp up with a range of ads as the May 18 poll draws closer.

A mobile billboard was also spotted in the electorate of Ballarat on Monday that read: “Catherine King will protect pathology bulk billing. Why won’t Scott Morrison?”

Ms King holds the safe Labor seat on a margin of 7.4 per cent.

The fight over pathology funding almost cost Malcolm Turnbull the 2016 election after Labor sided with the large pathology labs to oppose the removal of $650 million in bulk-billing incentives. The Coalition was forced into a hasty retreat and ended up ditching its plan. In the 2017 budget, Scott Morrison pledged more funds to keep the incentive payments in order to retain high levels of bulk billing on pathology services but hasn't committed to any extra funding so far this campaign.

Labor last week promised to fund $200m worth of free blood tests for cancer patients and older Australians as part of his signature $2.3 billion cancer care package. Mr Shorten says his package will guarantee three million free pathology tests a year needed by cancer patients as well as 20 million pathology tests by older Australians each year.

Australian Pathology, the peak body for private pathology practices, said it was not involved in the campaign and didn't know who was behind the Pathology Providers of Australia group. CEO Leisel Wett said she agreed with the basis of the ad's message and without more taxpayer funding companies would have to make tough decisions over whether they continued to bulk bill for blood tests.

A spokeswoman for Health Minister Greg Hunt said the “Save Pathology Bulk Billing” ads were one of the most dishonest campaigns Labor had ever tried.

“Ninety-nine per cent of people seeking a pathology test from their GP are covered by Medicare and bulk billed,” she said. A spokesman for Ms King said Labor had nothing to do with the advertising campaign, but welcomed the pathologists’ support.