Australians are to gain better access to affordable medical care with a package of reforms announced to strengthen Medicare.
The package of reforms, announced by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, responds to the December 2022 Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report.
Mr Butler said the package laid the foundations for significant reforms to Medicare to ensure Australians had better access to affordable care, cheaper medicines and a stronger health workforce.
He said that in response to the Report, Government was improving access to primary care, reducing pressure on hospitals and acting to support GPs, nurses, midwives and allied health practitioners
“A stronger Medicare means one that supports team-based care, underpinned by a funding model that better reflects the healthcare needs of 21st century Australia,” Mr Butler said.
“A stronger Medicare means growing the health workforce and supporting our hardworking healthcare workers to do what they’re trained to do and work at the top of their scope of practice,” he said.
“A stronger Medicare means digital systems that drive better care and provide better connections between different parts of our health system.”
Mr Butler said this first tranche of reforms included; Supporting workforces to work at top of scope; Expanding the nursing workforce; Improving access to and delivery of after-hours primary care; Introducing My Medicare to support wrap around care for patients registered with their local GP through new blended payment models; Flexible funding for multi-disciplinary team-based models; and Investing in digital health.
A three-page summary of the changes can be accessed at this PS News link and the 11-page Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report at this link.
