Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell and Nexus Primary Health Wallan staff celebrated the 40th anniversary of Medicare on Thursday.
McEwen increased its bulk-billing rate in the first two months since the Federal Government tripled the General Practioner, GP, bulk-billing incentive, amounting to an estimated 1414 additional bulk-billed GP visits, saving patients an estimated $51,838.01 in gap fees.
Mr Mitchell said as a Labor politician, it was an exciting day celebrating the initiative.
“It was something we introduced. It’s something we hold dearly and something we will always defend to the hill,” he said.
“We’ve seen over the years the attacks on Medicare through attempted GP taxes and cutting and such, but every time we get into government, we always make sure we invest in Medicare because it’s so important.”
Mr Mitchell said data demonstrated the government was making it easier for people to see a bulk-billing doctor as promised.
“Doctors’ groups have called our tripling of the bulk-billing incentive a game-changer – and clearly it is,” he said.
“This is a win all round – for patients, doctors and the health system – and will help to make Medicare stronger than it has ever been since Labor introduced it 40 years ago.
“Locals are finding it easier to see a bulk-billing doctor because of Labor’s efforts to strengthen Medicare and this is delivering significant cost-of-living relief for people in McEwen.”
Nexus Primary Health chief executive Amanda Mullins said the clinic still bulk billed more than 60 per cent of its clients.
“We’re really proud to be a major part of the health community in Wallan,” she said.
“Despite the fact we went to co-payment back in 2023 our doctors still bulk-bill a really large, significant number of our clients.
Nexus Primary Health Wallan provides services for both children and adults including counselling, family violence support services and financial counselling.
“Nexus is delighted to be partnering with Northern Health to provide some paediatric services in the near future – supporting community services in Mitchell Shire,” Ms Mullins said.
“While we have had some challenges with recruiting more GPs, we are grateful to our current practitioners who continue to support the vulnerable clients in our community with bulk-billing where it is appropriate.
“We are proud to be part of one of the best health funded systems in the world. Medicare, as a national public health insurance scheme, covers many of our services and allows us to deliver services in our local community.”
The national bulk-billing rate has increased with an estimated 360,000 additional GP trips bulk-billed, saving more than $15 million in GP gap fees in November and December.
