Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Holzberger argued that the previous government's freeze on Medicare rebates caused bulk-billing to collapse, whereas the current government's tripling of bulk-billing incentives has restored access. Holzberger cited historical context regarding the introduction of Medicare to emphasise its importance for financial security and universal access. Holzberger noted that 17,000 doctors have joined the health system in the last two years and defended the government's approach to addressing NDIS issues as necessary corrections to problems inherited from the previous administration.

Comer highlighted the government's record $8.5 billion investment in Medicare and the expansion of bulk-billing incentives to all Australians. Comer reported that the national GP bulk-billing rate had increased to 81.9 per cent and that 97 per cent of Australians now lived less than 20 minutes from a practice that bulk bills all patients. Comer emphasised the success of Medicare urgent care clinics, such as the one in Deception Bay, in providing affordable care and reducing pressure on emergency departments.

Cook supported the bill as a means to provide certainty for primary care incentive programs and strengthen Medicare. Cook noted that five GP practices in her electorate had adopted bulk-billing since the reforms and listed several local practices providing these services. Cook highlighted the opening of the Mundaring Urgent Care Clinic, which had treated over 2,000 patients, and cited national data showing increases in bulk-billing rates across all states and territories.

Mascarenhas argued that the bill secures the longevity of primary care incentive programs, which are worth more than $1.4 billion annually. Mascarenhas shared a personal anecdote about a family member requiring emergency brain surgery after a GP visit to illustrate the importance of accessible primary care. Mascarenhas reported that the bulk-billing rate in her electorate had risen from 67 per cent to 74.9 per cent and that the number of fully bulk-billing practices had more than doubled.

Jordan-Baird praised the bill for enhancing the honesty, openness, and long-term viability of Medicare primary healthcare funding. Jordan-Baird described Medicare as one of the best healthcare systems in the world and noted that it has been supported by successive Labor governments.