Labor says it would bring the patient co-payment for subsidised medicines down to $25 from $31.60.

Dutton under pressure to match PM’s pledge to drop medicine prices by $6.60

Labor will bring the patient co-payment for subsidised medicines down to $25 from $31.60 as it wages an election battle over healthcare.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos

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Greens leader Adam Bandt has warned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese there needs to be further cost of living relief to keep Peter Dutton in opposition.

‘Pass this now’:Greens offer to help Labor ‘Dutton-proof’ key measures

In a letter penned to Anthony Albanese this week,Greens leader Adam Bandt had three key requests.

  • Millie Muroi
Sydney woman Luan Lawrenson-Woods paid $30,000 in out-of-pocket fees for surgeries and treatment related to breast cancer despite having private health insurance.

One in five patients skip treatment due to out-of-pocket costs

The survey also found 40 per cent of private hospital patients were being slugged with out-of-pocket specialist fees of more than $1000 – and many weren’t informed of all costs in advance.

  • Broede Carmody andHenrietta Cook
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brandishes a Medicare card at Sunday’s announcement in Launceston.

To make Medicare healthy again,our leaders must treat these worrying symptoms

Universal health care is expensive and getting more so,which is a problem when politicians like appearing to cut taxes and never increase them or introduce new ones.

  • Ross Gittins
Ken McCroary,a doctor in Campbelltown. said the election spend from both parties was not enough for him to change his billing practices.

Free GP visits for all? Even with an $8.5b top-up,it depends on where you live

Doctors are warning Australians to temper their expectations as they fear patients will be disappointed when most city clinics keep charging gap fees.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos,Daniel Lo Surdo andMadeleine Heffernan
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Dutton says $24 billion from public service jobs will pay for bulk-billing boost

The Coalition has been coy about the precise number of jobs it will cut if elected,but Dutton on Monday confirmed that winding back 36,000 workers would be key.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos andShane Wright
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Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will match Albanese’s $8.5 billion pledge to increase free GP visits.

Dutton matches Labor’s $8.5b for free GPs to ward off ‘Mediscare’

The election has not yet been called and both parties have pledged $8.5 billion for GP visits despite pledging to rein in costs.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos
Health Minister Mark Butler and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will unveil Labor’s major plans for health reform on Sunday.

All Australians to get bulk-billing boost under Labor’s $8.5b plans for health reform

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make it cheaper to see a doctor by paying GPs more if they bulk-bill all adult patients in a major election pitch to middle Australia.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos
GPs are charging an average of $10 more for a standard appointment than they were last year.

It should be easier for young Australians to visit a GP

It’s unacceptable that one in six Australians aged 25-34 feel they can’t afford to visit a doctor.

  • The Herald's View
Bulk billing

GPs believe this one change to bulk-billing could save Australians $42 a visit

Analysis suggests that extending bulk-billing incentives to under-35s would save young people $42 a visit in average doctor’s fees,while preventing 9000 hospitalisations.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos