Budget shows critical importance of general practice care

Tonight’s Federal Budget recognises the importance of accessible and affordable general practice care for all Australia. 

With more than 22 million Australians choosing to see a specialist General Practitioner every year for their essential health care the Budget’s unprecedented investment to grow the GP workforce and additional Medicare funding is critical. 

Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) Vice-President Dr Ramya Raman said: “We applaud the size of the investment in general practice and Medicare – $8.5 billion – after decades of underinvestment.  

“The previously announced election commitments and now the federal budget make it clear that both the Government and the Opposition recognise the value of general practice care.  

“The RACGP applauds the budget’s significant injection of funding into the GP workforce, from the expansion of GP training to the important GP initiative which matches the wages, and parental and study leave entitlements of GP trainees to those of hospital-based doctors.

“These initiatives will mean more Australian communities can access GP care close to where they live, removing barriers to junior doctors choosing a career in general practice and boosting the GP workforce across Australia,” said Dr Raman. 

“The $793 million women’s health package, which covers key initiatives from our plan such as increased rebates for Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, menopause health assessments, and more funding for endometriosis and pelvic pain, is a crucial step towards health equity.” 

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said: “While it’s clear general practice is central in this year’s Budget, we are concerned the plan, which has also been backed by the Opposition, won’t deliver the bulk billing rates they expect because patient rebates are still too low to cover the cost of care.   

“There is a missed opportunity here to properly fund patient Medicare rebates to ensure affordable access to general practice care for all Australians. 

“That’s why we've been saying for a long time that Medicare funding should be targeted to those who need it most, including the 61% of Australians living with chronic and complex illnesses. 

“Our plan for accessible, affordable general practice care for all Australia calls for a 25% increase to patient rebates for mental health, which are one of the most common consults, and a 40% increase to patient rebates for longer consults. 

“The RACGP is committed to advocating for accessible, affordable general practice care for all Australia, because there is no substitute for the high-quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history.”