On the eve of the Albanese Labor Government’s bulk billing changes coming into effect, Australians are feeling the pain of the Prime Minister’s broken promises on Medicare.
Anthony Albanese promised on at least 71 occasions that “all you need is your Medicare card, not your credit card” and that it would be “free to see a GP” under Labor.
But Department of Health officials have admitted that Labor will not meet its own targets until after the next election, while out-of-pocket costs for Australians will continue to “go up”.
Out-of-pocket costs are already at a record high under Labor, with Australians currently paying an average of $49.14 to see a GP.
The Health Minister has also now shockingly revealed a secret plan to “intervene in the market” if GPs do not to sign up to Labor’s new scheme – a clear and concerning acknowledgment that GP clinics will be threatened with potential closure if they don’t sign up to the program.
The vast majority of GPs are small, family-run practices already struggling under Labor’s skyrocketing energy prices, rent, and other costs of doing business under this Government.
Extraordinarily, in the Senate yesterday, the Albanese Labor Government even failed to rule out compulsory acquisition of family practices.
Contrary to Labor’s lies, when the former Coalition Government left office, bulk billing rates were at almost 90% and average out-of-pocket costs per visit were $7 lower than they are today.
This is a clear admission that Labor has failed to deliver on its central election promise to strengthen Medicare, further proven by the GP bulk billing rate nosediving by 12.5% under Labor.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston said that Labor was focused on using Medicare as its political plaything, instead of addressing the real challenges faced by patients and GPs across Australia.
“The Prime Minister has misled Australians by promising they wouldn’t need their credit card to see a doctor, but GP costs are at record highs and families are paying more than ever before,” Senator Ruston said.
“The fact that Australians’ out-of-pocket costs are projected to keep rising shows that Labor’s Medicare promises have failed before they’ve even begun; you can’t trust Labor’s Medicare lies.”
The Coalition is calling on Australians to share their real experiences on GP costs through a new website - www.HowMuchDoYouPay.au.
“We want to hear directly from Australians about what it’s really costing them to see a doctor under this Government’s reckless mismanagement and politicisation of Medicare,” Senator Ruston said.
“Labor is trying to hide the truth with stunts and spin, but Australians know it has never been harder or more expensive to access quality, essential healthcare under this Government.”
Don’t let Labor get away with its Medicare lies. Visit www.HowMuchDoYouPay.au to share your experience.
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