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Friday, 16th May 2003

Albanese Welcomes Labor's New Deal To Save Medicare


I welcome the constructive initiatives outlined last night by Labor Leader Simon Crean in his formal response to the 2003 Federal Budget.


The initiatives outlined under Labor’s New Deal to Save Medicare will reverse the collapse in bulk billing, rescue Medicare and ensure that health care remains accessible by all Australians based on medical need.


Even in our local community bulk billing rates have been in decline.


Labor has a very different view of Australian society than the Liberals. Put simply, Labor believes that access to quality health care should be based on medical need, not how much money you have in your wallet.


Under Labor all Australians, no matter where they live or how much they earn, will have much greater access to a bulk billing doctor.


Under Labor’s New Deal to Save Medicare the Medicare rebate for all bulk billed consultations would be lifted by $3.35 - that’s 95 per cent of the scheduled fee. This would be followed by an increase to $5 per bulk billed consultation – 100 per cent of the scheduled fee.


There’ll also be powerful new financial incentives for doctors to maintain and increase bulk billing. Doctors in our local community will receive an additional $7,500 each year for bulk billing 80 per cent or more of their patients.


This additional investment in Medicare will mean local families will find it easier to find a bulk billing doctor and take pressure off family budgets.


Labor does not want a society where only the wealthy can get access to quality health care services.


Labor created Medicare, Labor believes in Medicare and only Labor will save Medicare for current and future generations.


 


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Electorate Office

334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204

Phone: 02 9564 3588

Parliament House Office

Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6277 7700

Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Authorised by Anthony Albanese. 334a Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.

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