Cheaper medicine, free GP visits and less hospital waiting time under $124.8b healthcare plan
Billions of dollars will be injected into Australia's public healthcare system under the 2025 Federal Budget delivered tonight.
Public hospitals will receive the biggest boost with an extra $1.8 billion in funding to help slash waiting lists, cut waiting time in emergency rooms and support ambulance ramping.
This will bring the federal government's total investment in state-run public hospitals to $33.9 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, according to the budget papers.
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Billions of dollars will be injected into Australia's public healthcare system. Graphic: Polly Hanning
The budget included the already-announced commitment to establish 50 more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across every state and territory.
This year's budget will also invest $7.9 billion in Medicare to improve bulk-billing so millions of Australians can visit their local GP for free.
The bulk-billing incentive eligbility will be expanded by November 1, 2025, which the government says will make nine out of 10 doctor visits completely free.
"These incentives mean there will be around 4800 fully bulk billing practices across the country," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
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"Making it easier to see a doctor and get the care you need."
According to the budget, Australians will save a combined $859 million in bulk billing fees by 2030 under this plan.
This is on top of the $784.6 million in funding to make more medicines available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The federal government has invested $18 million in PBS funding to help make medicine cheaper for Australians.
Graphic: Polly Hanning
It means no medicine on the PBS will cost more than $25.
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This could save a familiy filling four prescriptions per month around $316 per year, the budget states.
Two extra medicines will also be listed on the PBS by May 1 – Spravato, which is prescribed for those with depression and Epkinly, which treats patients with refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Several contraceptive pills are already available on the PBS – Yaz, Yasmin and Slinda, which will benefit a combined 150,000 women.
According to the budget, Australians will save a combined $859 million in bulk billing fees. Justin McManus
WHAT'S IN IT FOR WOMEN: Critical $793 million health boost
Women are one of the biggest winners in this year's budget after Labor announced a $792.9 million package including 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics and a Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments.
Three menopause treatments will also be added onto the PBS for the first time in 20 years.
And an endometriosis medicine named Ryeqo will be added to the scheme too.
"For our government, women’s health is not a boutique issue or a question of special interest – it is a national priority," Chalmers said.
Government spending for health will be $124.8 billion for the 2025-26 financial year.
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