This means that children, pensioners, and healthcare card holders in Bendigo are finding it easier to see a bulk billing doctor than they have for decades. It also means that our local GPs who bulk bill are getting more Government support for their vital services.

Rural and regional Australians have benefited the most with an estimated additional 202,000 free visits to the GP in two months.

This landmark Budget initiative is a key part of the Government’s Strengthening Medicare reforms and is the largest bulk billing investment in Medicare’s 40-year history.

Labor introduced Medicare and now Labor is strengthening Medicare while delivering real cost of living relief to Central Victoria.


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINISTER FOR HEALTH, MARK BUTLER MP:

“Doctors’ groups have called our tripling of the bulk billing incentive a game changer – and clearly it is.

“The Government committed to making it easier for people to see a bulk billing doctor – and the first two months of data show that is exactly what is happening right around the country, including here in Bendigo.

“This is a win all round – for patients, doctors and the health system – and will help to make Medicare stronger than it has ever been since Labor introduced it 40 years ago.”


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP:

“Locals are finding it easier to see a bulk billing doctor because of Labor’s efforts to strengthen Medicare – and this is also what the data tells us.

“I really do feel like we’ve turned a corner – more people are being bulk billed by their doctor because of the Federal Labor Government.

“This is delivering significant cost of living relief for people in Central Victoria.”