Angus Taylor says government commitment to Medicare ‘rock solid’

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor says local patients and the 153 GPs in his electorate will benefit from the Turnbull Government’s “rock solid’’ commitment to Medicare.

“Last month’s Budget delivers on our commitment to guarantee Medicare and build the world’s best health system where every Australian has access to the best doctors, nurses, hospitals and medicines,” says Mr Taylor.

Medicare funding will increase by $2.4 billion over the next four years, including a $1 billion commitment to our doctors and patients by restoring indexation of the Medicare rebate commencing with GP bulk billing arrangements from July 1 this year.

Australian patients are getting more benefit from Medicare than ever before with GP bulk billing rates jumping to 85.4 per cent during the second half of 2016 – up from 84.7 per cent for the same period in 2015.

Mr Taylor said Hume’s GP bulk billing rates were above the national average.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“For Hume in 2015/16, the percentage of visits to the GP where people did not reach into their pocket was 88 per cent, which compares to the national rate of 85.1 per cent,” Mr Taylor said.[/social_quote]

The 93 pharmacists in Hume will benefit from the government’s agreement with the Pharmacy Guild which will deliver medicines reform and an $825 million investment to strengthen patient outcomes and community pharmacy.

Hume residents will have access to a wider range of services from their community pharmacy, including home visits to eligible patients to help them manage their medications.

Across the Hume electorate, which includes a big chunk of the Macarthur region, the 10 Commonwealth home support program providers and 1,601 aged care clients will benefit from the government’s extension of funding arrangements for up to $5.5 billion over two years, from 2018–19 to 2019–20, for assessments and service delivery.

The Commonwealth home support program will provide continuity of essential support services to approximately 900,000 older Australians to help them continue living at home and in their communities.

“This Budget supports our long term national health plan, based on the four pillars of guaranteeing Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; supporting hospitals; prioritising mental and preventive health; and investment in medical research,” Mr Taylor said.