Finding a doctor who bulk-bills in the Hunter should get a little easier this month after the Australian Government welcomed the tripling of the Bulk Billing Incentive during the week.
The move is designed to reduce the cost of seeing a GP by increasing the amount doctors receive for Medicare services.
Minister for Defence, Industry Pat Conroy believes the changes come at a time when it’s never been harder or more expensive for Australians to see a GP.
“People shouldn’t be forced to choose between buying groceries or seeing their GP,” the Shortland MP said.
“This is the latest responsible step the Albanese government is taking to improve the health outcomes of people in our community.
“Along with restoring the hours for our community’s GP Access After Hours service and establishing Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, we are delivering on our commitments to make it easier for people to see a doctor.”
The government claims the adjustments are the largest investment in bulk billing in Medicare’s 40-year history.
“I know how hard it has become to find a bulk billing doctor in Newcastle,” Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon sid.
“The former Liberal government’s cuts and six-year freeze to Medicare rebates created a crisis in general practice.”
The changes to Medicare follows the re-opening of GP Access After Hours at the Calvary Mater hospital and the restoration of hours at the John Hunter hospital.
“Healthcare should be accessible to everyone regardless of their income, but the sad reality is that too often people find it too hard to find a doctor who bulk-bills,” says Hunter MP Dan Repacholi.
“This historic investment and tripling of the bulk billing incentive will mean more people in the Hunter electorate will be able to access bulk billed services and that will have a real impact on the family budget.
“This, along with the restored hours at the Toronto GP Access After Hours service and the brand new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at Cessnock, will mean Hunter residents have a lot more options when they need to see a doctor.”
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