From Medscape Medical News, 10 March 2025:
Medicare, Australia’s national health insurance scheme, is set for its biggest boost in funding since its creation half a century ago, as both major political parties promise billions ahead of this year’s federal election.
The incumbent Labor government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, announced an AU$8.5 billion (US$5.4 billion) commitment to increase access to free primary healthcare and boost the general practitioner (GP) and nursing workforce. The same day as Labor’s announcement, the opposition Liberal/National Coalition made a similar AU$9 billion commitment.
Either commitment would represent the single biggest investment in Medicare since its inception. As one of the first major announcements of the election cycle, preceding even the announcement of a date for the election, it’s a signal of how critical the issue of healthcare access is perceived to be. Read more.
Bianca Nogrady 