Investing in Medicare
I strongly believe in a universal healthcare system that provides access to affordable and quality care for everyone. Labor is the party of Medicare, and we will always protect it. The Coalition has always hated Medicare and in government they underfunded it.
Urgent Care Clinics
We've invested over $1.4 billion over seven years to establish and operate Medicare Urgent Care Clinics nationwide.
There are now 137 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics operating,providing care services for conditions and illnesses that are urgent but not life-threatening.
Cheaper Medicines
We've lowered the maximum cost of prescription medication on the PBS to just $25 - the most affordable they’ve been in more than two decades.
And we've introduced 60 day prescriptions for more than 300 medicines on the PBS, saving patients up to $189.60 per medicine per year.
Genetic Testing
Together with Macnamara local Dr Jane Tiller, I’ve been campaigning to ban insurers from using genetic test results to underwrite life insurance contracts.
For too long Australians have not been getting potentially life-saving genetic testing, because they were scared of being discriminated against with life insurance products. This has prevented them from making decisions about their own health for fear of missing out on the life insurance that they potentially needed.
In 2024, I was proud to stand with Jane as our government announced a total ban on the use of adverse genetic test results by life insurers. And in April this year, that Bill became law.