Turnbull strives to ensure bulk billing’s bright future

PATIENTS in Forde are benefiting from the Turnbull Government’s commitment to Medicare with the national GP bulk billing rate for the September quarter increasing to a record 85.9 per cent.

This is the highest rate ever achieved for a September quarter – and significantly higher than Labor’s 82.2 per cent when they were last in government.

In Forde the bulk billing rate for patients visiting their GP is 95.7 per cent, clearly higher than the national average.

It’s great news for Forde residents as it means more people are able to visit the doctor without having to reach for their wallets.

And we’re spending more than ever before on Medicare – with record funding increasing each and every year from $23 billion in 2017-18, to $24 billion, to $26 billion to $28 billion in 2020-21.

In comparison, spending under Labor was $19.5 billion in 2012-13. These figures highlight the lies Labor continues to peddle about Medicare.

Last financial year, Australian patients received an additional 21 million bulk billed GP visits compared with Labor’s last year in Government in 2012-13 – an increase of more than 20 per cent.

In this year’s Budget, we established the Medicare Guarantee Fund to secure ongoing funding of the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – to ensure people’s access to these services and affordable medicines into the future.

Our commitment to Medicare is rock solid and the figures show that under the Turnbull Government, Medicare is providing more support to Australians than ever. BERT VAN MANEN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FORDE