As we age, access to quality healthcare becomes increasingly vital, and the strain on the system can often mean longer waiting times and delayed treatments.

In a move that received collective relief from Australians, the Federal Government announced a substantial investment which could be a beacon of hope for many.

The Federal Government gave Medicare a $1.7 billion boost aimed at bolstering public hospitals.

The funding should also jumpstart much-needed health reforms.

It should also alleviate the immense pressure the Australian healthcare system has been under, especially after COVID-19.

Hospitals across Australia should see changes brought upon by the billion-dollar boost. Image Credit: Pexels/Pixabay

The $1.7 billion fund was a one-off boost that should be distributed equitably across all states and territories.

The total Commonwealth funding for public hospitals and health services should reach $33.91 billion by the 2025-26 financial year.

This boost was more than just a number; it could also be a lifeline for the many Australians who have been waiting for essential medical procedures or struggling to access the care they need.

'Labor created Medicare, and we will protect it and strengthen it,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared, emphasising the party's historical connection to the healthcare system.

'Healthcare is the first issue I engaged with as a very young man; it's what brought me into politics; nothing's more important.'

Health Minister Mark Butler also opened up about the need to reform Australia's public health system.

'We have a terrific public health system, but it is a hospital system under very serious pressure,' Minister Butler stated.

The funding allocation has been carefully considered.

The Northern Territory should receive a $51 million boost, addressing what Butler described as 'grossly inequitable' conditions.

Other states should also see significant funding, with NSW receiving $407 million, Victoria with $402 million, Queensland with $414 million and Western Australia with $158 million.

South Australia should also receive $169 million, and both Tasmania and the ACT should receive $50 million each.

The announcement came on the heels of the Australian Medical Association's (AMA) call for a multibillion-dollar overhaul of Medicare.

The AMA's Modernise Medicare proposal wanted to address critical issues in healthcare and general practice across the country.

For seniors with regular medical needs, this funding could mean shorter wait times, more accessible GP services, and an overall improvement in healthcare services.

It's a step towards ensuring that Australians are supported by a healthcare system that is robust, responsive, and respectful of everyone's needs.

Key Takeaways

• The federal government announced a $1.7 billion boost to Medicare to strengthen Australia's public hospital system.
• The investment aimed to deliver structural health reform and should be distributed across all states and territories.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasised the importance of healthcare and his commitment to strengthening Medicare.
• The funding was a response to the public health system's significant pressure.

How do you think will the $1.7 billion boost change your regular health check-ups? We would love to hear your thoughts on this development, so share your opinions and expectations in the comments below.

 

[Towing]

Really SDC, you need to stop printing government media releases as if they are gospel-truth! This is spin, pure & simple.

Every 5 years until now the Feds & States negotiate a new "5 Year Agreement" on Hospital (State run) funding. In fact, Albo & Butler FAILED to get the deal done (even with the Labor states!) & had to settle for a 1 year interim deal. Yes, there's more money, but that always happens every 5 years, so in fact there's nothing special, & they've simply kicked the can down the road to be the next Government's problem.

And if you critically read the release, you'll note the clear contradictions. Albo says,
'Labor created Medicare, and we will protect it and strengthen it' yet Butler disagrees stating, '...it is a hospital system under very serious pressure,'

As they say, "How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving"!

I agree with you. Plenty of Election promises are broken. How long after we were told there wouldn't be GST was it introduced. They are saying the cost of a lot of items should be reduced. If prices are reduced the Govt. will lose some of its revenue.

 

[Nels]

You cannot help yourself. Hospitals have been struggling throughout this Government’s term but it is only now that they allegedly care enough to try to fix the problem. Why is it so? I will answer that. It is election time and polls are not that favourable. People, don’t be fooled. It takes time to get hospital and medical staff from overseas and from local training facilities so it will not suddenly improve your outcomes. This Government is and was more interested in climate initiatives than your health now. Also remember that a promise from this Government is only a promise.

It's amazing what can be done when there's an election looming.

 

[Macarj]

People are quick to blame to current government for past issues with health care and Medicare.

Do you not remember that Gough Whitlam brought in the idea of a national health service?

Then in 1981, the Fraser government completely abolished Medibank. That worked well, didn't it?

Thankfully, the Hawke government reinstated Medibank, under the guise of Medicare, in early 1984.

The LNP has the covert notion of making Australia's health system a model on the US system, which discriminates against lower socio-economic sections of the population.

Let the rich get richer, while the poor can die in the streets.

Capitalist pigs!

Well said I was just trying to think what I should write you covered it well

 

[Parrot]

OMG … each politician Is trying to out do the other with promises they make and cannot keep
who do they think they are fooling ? I am glad they believe in what they say because
THE REST OF US CERTAINLY DONT..

 

[GeeT]

People are quick to blame to current government for past issues with health care and Medicare.

Do you not remember that Gough Whitlam brought in the idea of a national health service?

Then in 1981, the Fraser government completely abolished Medibank. That worked well, didn't it?

Thankfully, the Hawke government reinstated Medibank, under the guise of Medicare, in early 1984.

The LNP has the covert notion of making Australia's health system a model on the US system, which discriminates against lower socio-economic sections of the population.

Let the rich get richer, while the poor can die in the streets.

Capitalist pigs!

Yes, I've said it before. The Government (all) don't SEE us. They don't have to worry about the Medicare system... they have the $s to pay for what they need, when they need it by top professionals.
It's not just THIS Government... it's ALL that come into power.

 

[atomace]

I'll say it again - the quickest way to get more nurses on the floor is to return training to hospitals, not university. Maybe it could be a 2 layer system in the hospitals & call the hospital trained (the same training that was in existence before uni training came about) nurses could be called Practical Nurses because they would really do the practical work which those who are university trained think is below them & don't want to do them. This would quickly put 1st year trainees on the floor followed in the next 2 years by 1st & 2nd year trainees, the 1st, 2nd & 3rd year nurses. I believe there are many young women who would love to be nurses but do not have the ability to undertake uni training but would flourish as Practical Nurses. However, the govt won't even look at this idea, they just want to import fully trained nurses many of whom are not trained up to a high standard.

My sister was a Nurse for over 50 years and she advocated that nurses should be trained on the job in a hospital environment,

 

[Luckyus]

My sister was a Nurse for over 50 years and she advocated that nurses should be trained on the job in a hospital environment,

Should be both, training in a qualified scholastic environment and hands on with a long time qualified registered nurse?.

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

The health system has been left languishing for a long time and state and federal governments have done little to fix or alleviate the problem. It has been all talk and no action. Hospital ramping has been getting worse here in WA and I believe most if not all States are in the same boats. Sports fixtures, big events and new venues are of more importance than voters health. Not good enough by a long shot.

Just like back in the Roman days of Gladiators and Colosseum to create a diversion of what is really going on. Give the people their Heroes to cheer and the Villains to boo and all is well. Remember back in the early days of covid lockdown that no sports where played and The people where getting jittery with no Heroes to cheer and no Villains to boo and all of a sudden the sports where back and they where allowed to travel and we could not not even to say bye to mother at her funeral if is was over a border.

 

[Tata]

The solution to the current health problems is the outlaw of natural medicine and obsession with treating symptoms instead of curing diseases. I'm 72, used to be very sick. A the age of 37, I stopped seeing doctors, now healthy and happy. But learning didn't come easily to me. I only wish that would be special clinics combining all tricks of this very powerful method and filled with special people having tried and cured themselves .

 

[MIZMAC]

You cannot help yourself. Hospitals have been struggling throughout this Government’s term but it is only now that they allegedly care enough to try to fix the problem. Why is it so? I will answer that. It is election time and polls are not that favourable. People, don’t be fooled. It takes time to get hospital and medical staff from overseas and from local training facilities so it will not suddenly improve your outcomes. This Government is and was more interested in climate initiatives than your health now. Also remember that a promise from this Government is only a promise.

And promises are frequently broken by this Government

 

[Reet]

When are they going to re-instate the dental discount for seniors? I found this to be very good and now having to pay for my check-ups alone is costing too much.

 

[Trina G]

Air bus albo is a lying corrupt imbacile Retard

It seems you don’t like Albo. I would never have guessed! Good luck if the No-alition get in because you’ll need it.

 

[Veggiepatch]

As they say, "How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving"!

Next thing you will telling us that Dutton doesn't lie. Is that because he doesn't have lips? Or because he is not a politician?

I wish he didn't have lips. Think of the money saved on the street cleaning of crap if he didn't have lips of a lizard!

 

[SGH]

People are quick to blame to current government for past issues with health care and Medicare.

Do you not remember that Gough Whitlam brought in the idea of a national health service?

Then in 1981, the Fraser government completely abolished Medibank. That worked well, didn't it?

Thankfully, the Hawke government reinstated Medibank, under the guise of Medicare, in early 1984.

The LNP has the covert notion of making Australia's health system a model on the US system, which discriminates against lower socio-economic sections of the population.

Let the rich get richer, while the poor can die in the streets.

Capitalist pigs!

I have friends in the US and they swear blind by their Medicare, however, it only works if you are over 75 years of age.

 

[Trina G]

Yes

Really SDC, you need to stop printing government media releases as if they are gospel-truth! This is spin, pure & simple.

Every 5 years until now the Feds & States negotiate a new "5 Year Agreement" on Hospital (State run) funding. In fact, Albo & Butler FAILED to get the deal done (even with the Labor states!) & had to settle for a 1 year interim deal. Yes, there's more money, but that always happens every 5 years, so in fact there's nothing special, & they've simply kicked the can down the road to be the next Government's problem.

And if you critically read the release, you'll note the clear contradictions. Albo says,
'Labor created Medicare, and we will protect it and strengthen it' yet Butler disagrees stating, '...it is a hospital system under very serious pressure,'

As they say, "How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving"!

Yes and that goes for all colours of politicians.

 

[Miss Chris]

You ARE a piece of Libel-al shit!

Go play in the traffic you gimp!

I look forward to reading your comments, every day…..and without fail you always make me giggle…..

 

[Trina G]

And promises are frequently broken by this Government

Are you trying to say that the No-alition never break a promise and never lie? LOL

 

[SGH]

Should be both, training in a qualified scholastic environment and hands on with a long time qualified registered nurse?.

And what ever happened to ENs

 

[RealityCheck]

Next thing you will telling us that Dutton doesn't lie. Is that because he doesn't have lips? Or because he is not a politician?

I wish he didn't have lips. Think of the money saved on the street cleaning of crap if he didn't have lips of a lizard!

Why would I say that? You posted what I DID say about Polis lying!

 

[Anthony Ellul]

Finally some one else who remembers what previous LNP governments have done to decimate Medicare health services. All the current problems are being laid at the feet of the Labor Government, who inherited these problems when taking office after more than 12 years of an LNP government, do Labor have a magic wand? can they solve all inherited problems straight away, on the day they take office??
Obviously not , however because they were expected to perform miracles to torn back the on coming tides of disasters waiting for them, such as financial issues leading to budget issues then leading to cost of living issues not to mention not enough doctors and nurses in our hospitals all neatly packaged together to give the average person on the street an excuse to vote them out and put the LNP back into government again!! So Dutton with his Nuclear power dreams that Australia has no way of paying for because that and the Aukus deal will bankrupt us there will be no more medicare it will be gutted just like every other social service, forget the age pension it will be cut to the point our elderly cannot feed themselves because the LNP do not care about the average person they only want to serve big business who put ever expanding donations into their coffers. A vote for the LNP is a vote for capitalism that this country cannot afford Good grief give me strength.

So you have outed yourself. Obviously a Communist. You missed the point. Every $ going into Health is good but where were they over the last 3 plus years. Instead of concentrating on health including hospital improvements they gave preference in the Budget to solar panels and wind turbines manufactured in your Communist China. Enough said.