The cost of seeing a doctor has risen dramatically on the Albanese Government’s watch, Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health and member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said this morning.

The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data reveals Australian patients are forking out almost 50 percent more to cover the cost of visiting their GP under the Albanese Government, compared with when the Coalition were in Government.

“The bulk billing rate has now fallen to 77.3 per cent – despite Labor’s changes to bulk billing incentives – whereas it was 88.5 per cent when the Coalition left office in May 2022.,” Dr Webster said.

“Recent Health Department data shows 2.4 million less Australians accessed GP services last financial year, while out of pocket costs rose by 5.5 per cent to the highest level on record.

Over the life of the Coalition government the Medicare rebate covered, on average, 90.87 per cent of seeing a doctor whereas over Labor’s 2 ¼ years the average has been 85.62 per cent.

GP visits of under 20 minutes attract a $42.85 Medicare rebate, but the Australian Medical Association’s recommended fee for such a consult as of December was $102.  Health Department data in August showed Victorian patients are paying $45.11 out-of-pocket to see their doctor.

“Medicare covers less and less of the cost of seeing a doctor.  The frightening consequence for primary and preventative health care is that the latest ABS research indicates twice as many people are putting off seeing their GP due to the cost,” Dr Webster said.

“When you consider the last census highlighted that on almost every metric Mallee residents have more long-term health conditions than the average Australian and a higher proportion of people not in labour force, our community faces greater risk with the rising cost of seeing a doctor.

Dr Webster said Labor’s repeated refrain of ‘strengthening Medicare’ is ringing hollow.

“⁠It has never been more expensive or harder to see a doctor in Australia.  Australians are feeling the pain of Labor’s failures every time they go to pay at the GP reception desk.”

Dr Webster said The Nationals are working on significant regional health policies to improve the supply of doctors and other health professionals in rural, remote and regional Australia.

“As Shadow Assistant Minister I have been developing bold policies to immediately address our dire health workforce shortage, also bringing structural reform to grow our own supply of doctors in the regions.  The high cost and delays in seeing a doctor are due to Labor’s workforce failures, sleepwalking us into a regional health catastrophe,” Dr Webster said.