It is with great concern that we learn today that the average cost to the doctor could cost the people of Macarthur more.

An announcement from the Australian Medical Association today recommends yet another increase in GP fees for a standard consultation visit under twenty minutes. The suggested fee increase of $2 will see the recommended standard consultation fee change from $76 to $78.
The Medicare rebate for GPs for a standard consultation remains at $37.05.

The announcement comes after Malcolm Turnbull’s pre-election commitment that Australians would not pay more to see their GP due to the Medicare rebate freeze.

In Macarthur, it is increasingly important that we protect our ability to provide affordable, accessible healthcare to the people that need it most.

The freeze in the Medicare rebate will inevitably lead to fewer doctors being able to bulk bill, and visits to a specialist becoming prohibitively expensive.

The government must review its Medicare freeze urgently so that the people of Macarthur can access affordable healthcare