Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has blamed the former Coalition governments for the current state of general practices across the country, saying they were in “worst shape” in 40 years.
In an interview with ABC radio, the health minister said the Medicare system needed a “comprehensive revamp” to keep local clinics operating.
He added that the problem was due to the Medicare rebate freeze previously implemented by the Coalition.
“There’s no question that the cuts, the freezing of the Medicare rebate for six years under the former government, has placed enormous financial pressure on general practice in particular, and the Medicare system more broadly,” Butler said….