ABC News Daily Is GP bulk billing about to make a comeback?
Feb 24, 2025
Stephen Duckett, an expert in health economics and Honorary Enterprise Professor at the University of Melbourne, discusses the troubling decline of GP bulk billing in Australia. He explains the factors behind its fall, such as unindexed Medicare rebates and rising out-of-pocket expenses. Stephen also evaluates the potential impact of a proposed $8.5 billion investment aimed at reversing this trend. He highlights the challenges of making healthcare accessible, particularly in low-income areas, and the significance of implementing broader reforms to improve the system.
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Medicare's Birth
- Medicare was introduced in 1984 under Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
- It was initially met with low take-up but grew steadily in popularity.
Medibank to Medicare
- Medibank, Medicare's predecessor, was introduced by Gough Whitlam but later dismantled by Malcolm Fraser's coalition government.
- Medicare was reintroduced in 1983 as a key election promise.
Bulk Billing's Growth
- While everyone was eligible for bulk billing under Medicare, initially the take-up rate was low.
- It increased significantly during the Hawke government's tenure, reaching the 80s and 90s within a few years.