Medicare

Ryan acknowledged the increase in bulk-billing rates but argued that out-of-pocket costs had risen by 9.4 per cent in her electorate, reaching $93.44. Ryan cited Grattan Institute findings that current rebates do not adequately compensate GPs for longer, complex consultations required for chronic conditions. Ryan also welcomed the government's extension of verbal assignment of benefits until July 2027, which prevented administrative disruptions for vulnerable patients.

Berry highlighted that bulk-billing incentives now apply to all patients, not just children and concession card holders, leading to a rise in bulk-billing rates in her electorate to nearly 90 per cent. Berry noted that over 3,800 practices across Australia were fully bulk-billing, with 97 per cent of the population living within 20 minutes of one. Berry also emphasised the role of Medicare urgent care clinics in reducing pressure on hospitals and the savings achieved through cheaper PBS medications.

Scamps noted that while bulk-billing for non-concessional patients had increased, more than one in four visits still incurred out-of-pocket costs. Scamps argued that Medicare rebates failed to reflect the time and complexity of modern general practice, particularly for chronic conditions and preventive care. Scamps cited Deloitte Access Economics research suggesting that increasing rebates for longer consultations would improve bulk-billing rates and reduce system costs.

Freelander, a paediatrician, praised the government's historic investment in Medicare, noting that bulk-billing rates in his electorate had risen to 98 per cent. Freelander highlighted the success of the Medicare urgent care clinic in Macarthur, which had treated over 32,000 patients since opening. Freelander also pointed to the savings generated by cheaper PBS scripts, which had delivered over $14 million in savings to patients in his community.

Wallace argued that the motion ignored Australians who still faced high out-of-pocket costs, with average fees exceeding $45 in two-thirds of electorates. Wallace claimed that bulk-billing rates for working-age adults remained low at around 69 per cent and that regional areas were seeing clinics close. Wallace asserted that the Coalition supported Medicare but criticised the government for shifting costs onto patients and failing to address access issues in rural and regional Australia.

Garland stated that tripling the bulk-billing incentive had enabled over 1,400 mixed-billing practices to switch to full bulk-billing. Garland reported that the bulk-billing rate in her electorate had reached 80 per cent, with 31 practices now bulk-billing all patients. Garland also highlighted the positive impact of the Mount Waverley urgent care clinic, which had recorded over 21,700 presentations since opening.

Rebello argued that bulk-billing rates under the current government were lower than those achieved under the previous Coalition government, which saw rates rise from 83 per cent to 88 per cent. Rebello criticised the government for cutting private health insurance rebates for older Australians and for distributing urgent care clinics disproportionately to Labor electorates. Rebello claimed that patients were facing higher costs and that the government was using health funding for political advantage.