Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Opened the debate

White moved the second reading, stating the bill implements recommendations from the Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance led by Dr Pradeep Philip. White explained that the legislation reduces the timeframe for submitting bulk-billed Medicare claims from two years to one year to improve payment integrity. White noted that the bill streamlines the pharmacy approval process from a two-stage to a single-stage system to reduce administrative burdens. White highlighted that the amendments expand investigative powers across health benefit schemes and allow for the recovery of incorrect payments. White also mentioned changes to the Therapeutic Goods Act to manage medicine shortages and strengthen enforcement against unlawful vaping goods.

Opposition response

McIntosh stated the opposition would support the bill as it addresses integrity issues identified in the Philip review. McIntosh argued that while the bill improves compliance tools, it does not resolve broader issues with Medicare under the current government. McIntosh cited statistics indicating a decline in bulk-billing rates and an increase in out-of-pocket costs for patients. McIntosh claimed that 1.5 million Australians avoided seeing a doctor due to affordability concerns in the previous year. McIntosh asserted that the coalition remains committed to affordable healthcare but would continue to scrutinise the government's performance.