Labor’s new policy to restore bulk billing to Coalition levels has unravelled on its first day, as figures reveal only 13% of metropolitan GP clinics have signed up to the Government’s new bulk billing program.
It means that the vast majority of Australians will still face out of pocket costs when they visit a GP, which Health Department officials have revealed is almost $50 on average and will continue to “go up.”
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston said that Anthony Albanese and Labor continue to lie to Australians that a Medicare card was all you need to see a GP.
“The reality is that millions of Australians will still have to use their credit cards to see a GP under Labor, and they are being charged the highest amount of out of pocket costs on record at almost $50 per visit,” Senator Ruston said.
“Anthony Albanese is misleading Australian families at a time when cost of living pressures, healthcare costs and power bills continue to rise.”
There are 6940 GP practices across the country and only 1051 are moving to fully bulk billing under Labor’s new program.
“It’s no wonder that very few GP practices are taking up Labor’s policy because, like many small businesses, they are struggling with the rising cost of doing business under Labor, including skyrocketing energy bills and rent,” Senator Ruston said.
The Coalition is calling on Australians to share their real experiences on GP costs through a new website - www.HowMuchDoYouPay.au.
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