Healthcare is regularly an issue debated in Australian elections, centring on the national healthcare insurance scheme called ‘Medicare’.
Among voters aged 18-34, health is the highest concern outside of cost of living-related issues, according to Resolve polling conducted for TDA.
Here’s what the parties are proposing on healthcare...
Matched
The major parties have matched each other on some health measures. These commitments are expected to come into effect regardless of who wins the election.
Pledge to triple the number of GP visits that are currently being bulk-billed. This means more GP visits would be fully covered by Medicare.
Reducing the price of PBS-listed medicines (government-subsidised medications) to $25, down from $31.60.
Labor
$1 billion in mental health care funding, opening up 31 new Medicare hubs and 20 dedicated ‘youth specialist centres’. They will also expand ‘headspace’ services.
Included in the above funding would be 12 perinatal mental health centres, for parents who are suffering mental-ill health from the period of pregnancy to a child’s first birthday.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
Open 50 additional urgent care clinics, which are walk-in Medicare sites designed to reduce wait times in public hospital emergency departments. They are used to treat minor injuries and illnesses.
Coalition
Doubling subsidised mental health sessions from 10 to 20 a year, restoring the COVID-era level of government-supported psychologist visits.
$100 million to boost regional healthcare, with a focus on bringing more doctors to the regions and upgrading medical training facilities.
$15 million to continue the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund. It says this is part of their goal of zero suicides in Australia.
Greens
Universal dental into Medicare, expanding the current scheme for children under 18.
Expanding access to mental health care, including removing the cap on subsidised government sessions and employing 1,000 extra peer workers.
National roll out of pill testing, through a central co-ordinated approach. Drug checking is currently legal in some states, including Queensland.
