The Albanese Labor Government’s record investment in Medicare is proving to be a game-changer for families in Kiama, Jamberoo and Gerringong, and right across the Gilmore electorate.

Since our GP bulk billing incentive program came into effect on November 1, the number of fully bulkbilling medical practices in our region has more than doubled.

I’m really proud that 32 medical practices want to make a difference in their community, and they want to help their patients - many who are older with multiple health conditions and, of course, young families who are feeling the cost-of-living pinch.

This is an absolute game-changer for local patients, who now have improved access to the health care they need, with just their Medicare card, not their credit card.

From January 1, we’ve introduced a whole gamut of health services that are saving the hip pocket and, importantly, saving lives.

We’re ensuring Australians can access the medicines they need at an affordable price, with PBS scripts now capped at $25, or just $7.70 for those who hold a concession card.

We’re adding more life-saving and disease preventing medicines to the PBS every month, to help men, women and children.

Just this month, Andriga-10 was added to the PBS to provide life-changing help for men with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Without the PBS, patients might pay $930 per script.

Since July 2022, we’ve approved extra funding for 399 new and amended listings on the PBS.

We’re helping women and their families by subsiding the cost of contraceptive pills, hormone therapies for menopause and medicines for endometriosis.

In just one year, more than 610,000 Australian women have saved money since essential women’s health medications were listed on the PBS as part of our landmark $792.9 million women’s health package.

And, from January 1, Australians have had even better access to free health advice with the 1800MEDICARE telehealth service, website and mobile app.

The new Medicare Mental Health Check In also went live on new year’s day, giving easy and free access to early support for Australians experiencing mild mental health challenges.

Of course, we’re opening more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and I know people in Kiama and surrounds cannot wait for the doors to open on the new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Nowra and Shellharbour very soon, which will take pressure off the local hospital emergency departments.

The investment in Medicare is already having a massive impact in our electorate, which is home to one of the highest populations of seniors in the country.

We also have many young families and low-income earners who are reaping the benefits of a better, fairer and stronger health system that the Albanese Labor Government promised - and that we are delivering.

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