PBO putting Medicare under the spotlight

The independent Parliamentary Budget Office will cast a critical eye over Medicare and other health spending this financial year.

Its 2015/16 work plan released on Monday says the PBO said it will scrutinise Medicare spending over the past decade together with medium term projections, as well as other health programs, the pharmaceutical benefits scheme and public hospitals.

It will also study disability support pension spending, research the higher education loan program, the GST and its concessions, as well as alcohol taxation and the budget more broadly.