Labor categorically rejects any move to reintroduce a GP Tax.
One in 20 Australians already say they delay visiting their GP, or do not visit at all, because of cost.
Australia cannot afford to create barriers for anyone who needs to see their GP – delaying primary care will only cause people to get sicker at a greater cost to the health care system.
Malcolm Turnbull’s Medicare Freeze is already forcing GPs to abandon bulk billing and slug patients every time they visit the doctor.
Any move to introduce a GP co-payment will spell the end of our universal health system and create an American-style two tier health system where only those who can afford it receive decent health care.
Mr Turnbull must immediately end his six year freeze on Medicare payments for doctors’ visits which is ripping $2 billion out of health, and also abandon his cuts to bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging.
Mr Turnbull’s cuts are already hitting hit the sickest, the poorest and those in rural areas the hardest and a GP co-payment will only worsen this trend.
Labor created Medicare and Labor will always protect Medicare.
Only Labor believes all Australians should be able to access health care when and where they need it.