Ben Small (Forrest, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I'm calling out the disgracefully sneaky attack on Medicare from this government that South West locals have alerted me to. From 1 July this year, new rules have placed an extra administrative burden on GPs and a financial one on some of our most vulnerable citizens. The idea that a patient can receive Medicare and the tests that they need with nothing more than a Medicare card is, plainly, a myth. We're hearing real stories from constituents, particularly older retirees, being hit with new out-of-pocket costs for routine and essential pathology tests such as those for prostate health, kidney function and urinary tract infections. These are tests that were once, under a coalition government, fully covered by Medicare.

Why is this happening? Because GPs must now provide a detailed medical rationale for each test they request. If the right wording is not included, the pathology lab passes the full cost directly to the patient. This is a double blow. For doctors, it means more time at the keyboard and less time in quality face-to-face consultation. For patients—especially those in regional communities like mine, already struggling with the cost of living—it means an unexpected and unfair bill for their Medicare. This is not just an administrative hiccup; it is a decision of the Albanese government. Ultimately, Medicare reforms should strengthen the trust we have in our doctors, not shackle them with additional paperwork.