Medicare to receive a $644 million boost for urgent care clinics if Anthony Albanese’s Labor Government is re-elected
The Prime Minister is promising that a re-elected Labor Government will build 50 new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, costing taxpayers’ $644 million.
At the last election Labor promised 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, and has over-delivered, with 87 built in this term of government.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are bulk billed, open extended business hours, and you don’t need an appointment or referral.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Prime Minister is desperately trying to make health a key political issue, as he sees it as a strength over Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton.
“This announcement of 50 additional Urgent Care Clinics if we are re-elected will provide the urgent care people need — and all you will need is your Medicare card, not your credit card,” Mr Albanese said.
“Labor is building Australia’s future with the largest investment in Medicare in over 40 years.
“Whether your family needs urgent or ongoing health care, under Labor, Medicare will be there for all Australians, in every community.
“Four in five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a bulk billed Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, once all Labor’s clinics are open.”
Health Minister Mark Butler ramping up the political attacks, saying ‘Australia’s doctors voted Peter Dutton the worst Health Minister in Medicare history for a reason’.
“The Liberals had nine years to open Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, and they never opened a single one — now they call Labor’s clinics ‘wasteful spending’ and want to close every single one of them,” Mr Butler said.
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are an Albanese Government initiative because we believe in Medicare and in free urgent care, fully bulk billed.
“You can’t trust the Liberals with Medicare: you can’t trust them to open Urgent Care Clinics and you can’t trust them to keep them open.”
The Coalition has committed to reviewing the cost effectiveness of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics if elected.
Location of extra Medicare Urgent Care Clinics:
· New South Wales: 14 clinics
· Victoria: 12 clinics
· Queensland: 10 clinics
· Western Australia: 6 clinics
· South Australia: 3 clinics
· Tasmania: 3 clinics
· Northern Territory: 1 clinic
· Aust. Capital Territory: 1 clinic
Originally published on 7NEWS
