Federal Government boosts healthcare budget amid calls for reforms

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.


compressed-pexels-hospital beds.jpeg
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.
 

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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.
Here we go!

Everybody that votes against the LNP are now suddenly Communists!

That must infer that it is acceptable for me to call you a Fascist!
 
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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.
Totally agree Elaine That is how I did my training to be a nurse on the wards and I loved it .
 
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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!
When Fraser and Howard were elected we saw our private health increase ,and no gap disappear. Before their time we were never out of pocket , now it can be thousands out of pocket.
 
No doctors will gobble it up like they always do, my local GP now charges $95 for a short visit, that's around $400/hr and that is whether or not he remedies your ailment. Imagine any other service where you pay that and it's not fixed.
 
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"!
The truth is we have one of the best systems of any advanced nations on the planet, regardless of the Opposition and the AMA's efforts to destroy it. Is it perfect, no, will it ever be enough, no, but it's worthy of protecting.
 
No doctors will gobble it up like they always do, my local GP now charges $95 for a short visit, that's around $400/hr and that is whether or not he remedies your ailment. Imagine any other service where you pay that and it's not fixed.
I have a GP who takes the time to listen never in a hurry to toss you out,I recently had a bi-opsy done on my face as it is a BCC and the cost $80 .you are assuming they do 4 patients an hour , that’s not always the case.
 
I have a GP who takes the time to listen never in a hurry to toss you out,I recently had a bi-opsy done on my face as it is a BCC and the cost $80 .you are assuming they do 4 patients an hour , that’s not always the case.
If it's just a normal consult then it's 6 an hour, 10 minutes each :oops:
 
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 agree there was a lot of problems within the hospital system before Covid and the NLP was in and had been for many years. There have been quite a few improvements with the current government but with so many fires to put out they can't do everything all at once. Sadly things take time. Some one also commented that those who are studying nursing, should be in the hospitals instead of universities. Chris Picton said in the first year they were in that they are getting the second year students to go into the hospitals so they can have hands on experience as well and that will also increase the amount of staff. Ambulance officers have been increased as well. Sure there are still some major issues, but there have been more done to help deal with the issues then when LNP were in.
 
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