Medicare reforms bearing fruit in Bendigo

THE desired impact of the federal government’s 2023–24 budget Medicare reforms appears to be gradually taking effect locally, with the rate of GP services bulk-billed in Bendigo climbing to 89 per cent from 68 per cent in October 2023.

The result is second only to Solomon in the Northern Territory, where bulk-billing has increased by 23 percentage points.

The reforms included the introduction of 60-day prescriptions and cutting the maximum price of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines to $25.

Bendigo people have also saved more than $19m on 3.3 million prescriptions during that period.

Visiting the city recently, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing Mark Butler said as well as more local residents being bulk-billed and more people saving on cheaper medicines, the reforms have seen the provision of more urgent care and upgraded mental health services.

“Our investments ensure more Victorians only need their Medicare card, not their credit card to access health services when and where they need them,” he said.

Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters said while four years ago there were only two bulk-billing GP clinics left in the Bendigo electorate, now there are 38, including one that opened recently.

“From our historic increases and expansion of the bulk-billing incentive to cheaper PBS medications, the government is making healthcare more affordable for Central Victorians,” she said.

The federal government has also committed to upgrading Bendigo’s headspace centre, with additional staff and capabilities to support young people with more acute mental health challenges.