Patients in the Robertson electorate are benefiting from the Coalition Government’s commitment to Medicare, with the national GP bulk billing rate for the September quarter increasing to a record 85.9 per cent, according to Member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks.
“This is the highest bulk billing rate ever achieved for a September quarter, and significantly higher than Labor’s 82.2 per cent when they were last in Government,” Ms Wicks said.
In the electorate of Robertson, the bulk billing rate for patients visiting their GP is 86.2 per cent, which is higher than the national average.
In neighbouring Dobell, the figure is almost 91 per cent.
“We are spending more than ever before on Medicare, with record funding each and every year”, Ms Wicks said.
“It’s growing from $23 billion in 2017-18 to $24 billion, to $26 billion, and to $28 billion in 2020-21.
“In my electorate, we can also point to the massive $45 million investment that this government has committed to the world-class Central Coast Medical School, and the Health and Medical Research Institute, which will be a game changer for our region, through an $85 million partnership between this government, the NSW Coalition Government and the University of Newcastle.
“The facts are that Australian patients received an additional 21 million bulk-billed visits compared with Labor’s last year in Government.
“We’ve established the Medicare Guarantee Fund to secure the ongoing funding of the Medicare benefits schedule and the PBS.
“I thank the Coalition Government for their determination and commitment to delivering better quality health care for people on the Central Coast,” Ms Wicks concluded.
Source:
Media release, Dec 4
Tim Sowden, Office of Lucy Wicks MP