National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Jarrett argued that affordable healthcare is a fundamental right and that the bill delivers immediate relief to constituents struggling with the cost of living. Jarrett cited anecdotal evidence from the electorate of Brisbane, where individuals had delayed filling prescriptions for mental health and chronic conditions due to cost. The member highlighted that the reduction in co-payments complements other Labor initiatives, such as the expansion of Medicare urgent care and mental health clinics. Jarrett emphasised that cheaper medicines improve health outcomes and economic productivity by keeping people in the workforce.

Chaney supported the bill as a meaningful step towards easing financial burdens, noting it would save patients nearly $800 million over four years. Chaney criticised the high threshold of the general PBS safety net, which leaves low-income patients vulnerable to out-of-pocket expenses. The member raised concerns about the outdated assessment process for new medicines, which averages 466 days from Therapeutic Goods Administration approval to PBS listing. Chaney indicated support for the first part of the opposition amendment regarding health technology assessment delays but disagreed with the second part concerning diplomatic meetings.

French argued that the bill ensures fairness and dignity by preventing Australians from choosing between bills and prescriptions. French shared a personal account of receiving a kidney transplant and relying on PBS-subsidised immunosuppressants to maintain health, illustrating the life-saving nature of affordable medicines. The member highlighted that the policy saves over $12 million in the electorate of Moore and reduces pressure on emergency departments by preventing complications from untreated conditions. French emphasised that the freeze on co-payments provides certainty for households and supports the sustainability of local pharmacies.

McCormack supported the bill, noting it was a matched election commitment between the government and the coalition. McCormack defended the former coalition government's record on healthcare, citing high vaccination rates and pandemic preparedness rankings. The member raised concerns about the impact of National Disability Insurance Scheme funding cuts on rural service providers and the discontinuation of funding for a colorectal centre in Melbourne. McCormack emphasised the critical role of pharmacies in regional Australia and welcomed any measures that improve health outcomes and productivity.

Clutterham argued that the bill is a critical component of the government's broader cost-of-living relief package, including tax cuts and energy bill assistance. Clutterham highlighted specific benefits for women's health, such as the listing of contraceptive pills and fertility drugs on the PBS, which reduces prohibitive costs for many patients. The member noted that savings in the electorate of Sturt had already exceeded $13 million due to previous co-payment reductions. Clutterham emphasised that affordable healthcare drives economic productivity and prevents conditions from escalating to require hospital treatment.

Ryan supported the bill but argued it was insufficient without comprehensive reform of the health technology assessment system. Ryan cited long approval times for new medicines and vaccines, noting that delays hinder access to life-saving therapies for patients with rare conditions. The member highlighted issues with medicine shortages and the variability of state-based immunisation programs. Ryan urged the government to prioritise the implementation of health technology assessment review recommendations to create a faster, more patient-centred system for evaluating new treatments.

Claydon argued that the bill addresses immediate cost-of-living pressures by reducing the maximum PBS co-payment and freezing costs for concession card holders. Claydon cited data showing that nearly 1.2 million Australians had delayed filling scripts due to cost, leading to worse health outcomes. The member highlighted savings of over $10 million in the electorate of Newcastle and praised the role of pharmacists as community health hubs. Claydon contrasted the Labor government's record of strengthening Medicare with the coalition's history of freezing rebates and cutting hospital funding.

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Wilson supported the reduction in PBS co-payments to $25, noting it would provide short-term cost-of-living relief. Wilson argued that real wages had not risen for nearly 15 years, meaning the adjustment alone would not solve long-term financial pressures. Wilson emphasised the importance of economic stability and prudent budget management to ensure the sustainability of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Wilson highlighted the challenges faced by community pharmacies, including rising energy costs and labour shortages, and called for certainty for these small businesses. Wilson concluded that a change of government was necessary to deliver long-term economic growth and sustainable health service delivery.

Briskey argued that the bill would save residents in her electorate $10 million and reduce the financial burden on people managing chronic conditions. Briskey highlighted that the $25 cap had not been seen since 2004 and represented a 20 per cent cut to medicine costs. Briskey detailed other government reforms, including 60-day prescriptions and freezing concession co-payments at $7.70 until 2030. Briskey stated that affordable healthcare is a necessity, not a luxury, and commended the bill for strengthening Medicare.

Pasin acknowledged bipartisan support for cheaper medicines but raised concerns about healthcare access in Mount Gambier, where all four GP clinics had closed their books and an urgent care clinic was shut. Pasin attributed GP shortages to the government's 2022 decision to include Adelaide in distribution priority areas, which he claimed caused doctors to leave regional towns. Pasin suggested removing Adelaide from the priority list and expediting the reopening of the urgent care clinic. Pasin also advocated for increasing opportunities for regional students to study medicine to improve long-term workforce retention.

Phillips described the bill as a tangible cost-of-living measure that would save residents in Gilmore $12.5 million. Phillips listed numerous new PBS listings for conditions including childhood brain cancer, Cushing's syndrome, osteoporosis, and women's health issues such as endometriosis and menopause. Phillips highlighted the government's investment in women's health and the introduction of 60-day scripts, which had been dispensed over 2.3 million times in her electorate. Phillips also mentioned local health initiatives, including urgent care clinics and mental health centres, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Medicare.

Penfold supported the bill, noting it aligned with coalition commitments to lower PBS co-payments to $25. Penfold criticised the government's broader economic policies, citing rises in electricity, gas, and insurance costs, and argued these offset the savings from cheaper medicines. Penfold highlighted delays in PBS listings due to caps on the number of medicines considered by the advisory committee. Penfold raised concerns about healthcare access in her electorate, particularly the lack of an urgent care clinic in Taree and mental health services in the Great Lakes area, and commended the bill despite these broader issues.

Repacholi argued that the bill would save Australians more than $200 million annually and provide significant relief for households managing multiple prescriptions. Repacholi illustrated the impact with an example of a constituent who saved $800 per year after previous PBS cuts, allowing him to afford physiotherapy. Repacholi emphasised that the $25 cap represented a 20 per cent reduction and would take effect from 1 January 2026. Repacholi also noted that pharmacies could continue to offer discounts and highlighted other reforms, including frozen co-payments for concession cardholders until 2030.

Campbell highlighted that residents in Moreton had already saved $9.7 million due to previous PBS reforms. Campbell discussed the historical context of the PBS, noting its origins in Labor governments and its role in ensuring affordable healthcare for all Australians. Campbell listed specific savings for women using contraceptive pills and menopausal hormone therapies, as well as access to expensive cancer treatments. Campbell commended the bill as part of the government's ongoing commitment to cost-of-living relief and strengthening Medicare, citing the establishment of urgent care clinics in her electorate.

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Smith argued that the bill fulfils a key election commitment by lowering the maximum PBS medicine cost to $25, a level not seen since 2004. Smith stated that the $689 million investment would save Australians over $200 million per year and benefit four out of five PBS medicines. Smith emphasised that concession card holders would see their costs frozen at $7.70 until 2030, providing financial certainty. Smith linked the bill to broader government efforts to reduce living costs, including tax cuts and increased bulk-billing funding. Smith criticised previous Liberal-National governments for cutting hospital funding and attempting to privatise Medicare, arguing that Labor is the only party committed to strengthening the system.

Comer illustrated the bill's impact through local examples, noting that a single mother would save $300 annually on prescriptions. Comer highlighted that the $25 cap would return $689 million to patients over four years, helping families manage mortgages and bills. Comer praised the freeze on concession card costs until 2030, which protects over 40,000 cardholders in her electorate from rising prices. Comer connected the medicine reforms to wider health initiatives, including tripled bulk-billing incentives and new Medicare urgent care clinics.