Labor's Plan to Make GP Visits Free for 90% of Australians by 2030
In a major pre-election announcement, Labor has pledged to make nine out of ten GP visits free for patients by the end of the decade. This ambitious plan, costing $8.5 billion over four years, would be the largest investment in Medicare since its inception.
The centerpiece of the plan is an expansion of the bulk-billing incentive, a payment to encourage doctors to provide services at no cost to patients. Currently, this incentive only applies to a limited group, including children under 16 and concession card holders. Labor's plan would extend it to all Australians, regardless of age or income.
This change would significantly increase the financial incentive for doctors to bulk bill. For a standard consultation, a GP in a metropolitan area would receive a Medicare payment of $63.50, including both the rebate and the incentive. Additionally, any GP who bulk bills all their patients would receive a quarterly bonus payment, bringing the total payment to $69.56.
Labor estimates that this policy will increase the national bulk-billing rate from 77.5% to 90% by 2030, resulting in an additional 18 million bulk-billed appointments per year. This would significantly reduce the financial barrier to accessing essential healthcare for millions of Australians.
However, the success of this policy hinges on the willingness of doctors to participate. While the incentive is attractive, some doctors may still choose to charge out-of-pocket fees, particularly in areas where the cost of providing care is high.
The policy also includes a $600 million package to expand the GP workforce, addressing concerns about a shortage of doctors. This will involve increasing GP training spots to 2,000 per year and offering salary incentives to attract more trainees to the profession.
While the policy has been broadly welcomed, some experts argue that more needs to be done to address underlying inequities in the healthcare system. They point to the need for increased Medicare rebates to cover the full cost of services and additional support for areas with limited access to healthcare.
Overall, Labor's plan represents a significant step towards making GP visits more affordable and accessible for all Australians. However, its success will depend on a combination of factors, including the willingness of doctors to participate, the expansion of the GP workforce, and ongoing efforts to address broader healthcare inequities.