Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

From the Medibank of Gough Whitlam through to the Medicare reforms of Bob Hawke, Labor has understood that affordable, accessible health care is important to Australians and to our quality of life. So I am thrilled with the recent budget announcements from the Minister for Health and Aged Care to make health care more affordable.

Access to bulk-billing doctors is raised with me constantly in Boothby. So the tripling of the bulk-billing incentive for most common consultations, for children under 16, pensioners and those on concession cards, will benefit some 74,047 people in Boothby. Funding for a new long-consult item will also benefit those with complex health needs.

Boothby residents have collectively saved over $600,000 so far this year on over 55,000 scripts from the $12.50 cut in January, and now the introduction of 60-day prescriptions will benefit 44,381 people in Boothby. That's up to $180 saved per medication per year, or $43.80 for concession card holders. Comparable countries have had long prescriptions for decades, and it's improved medication compliance as well as cutting costs. It will also free GPs up from prescription renewal consults, so they can see other patients. So we all benefit.

These initiatives are great for patients and great for health outcomes, because the health budget is about the health of Australians.