ACT Labor proposes to implement measures to encourage bulk billing

Cost of living pressures, have some Canberrans second guessing their need to go to a GP. Vox pop – “I sometimes delay a couple of weeks before going to the doctor just to makesure I've not got too many expenses all coming up at the same time.” Vox Pop – “I kind of think "Am I really sick?" "Do I really need to go?" and if I don’t, I just take a Panadol and stay home” Doctors warn that can seriously affect a person's health. And though ACT bulk billing rates have increased by nearly six per cent since. The Commonwealth government tripled the bulk-billing incentive last November. The chief minister says it's not enough. Andrew Barr, Chief Minister - We’d love to see more from the federal government as well, but we are particularly focussed on a practical role that we can play. If re-elected, Labor is promising an 11-million-dollar fund to support new or expanded bulk-billing general practices, and clinics which bulk bill children. As well as four million to help attract and support doctors to become GPs. Rachel Stephen-Smith, Health Minister - “boosting access to bulk billed after-hours general practice is also part of the package and then finally we're looking at expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists as well.” Labor says it'll also shift to a payroll tax model similar to South Australia and Victoria. Rachel Stephen – Smith, Health Minister - No payroll tax will be charged on that income that's coming from services that are bulk billed. Dr Rebekah Hoffman, Royal Australian College of GPs - it's definitely a move in the right direction - what we really need to see across Australia is just a nationally consistent framework. Elizabeth Lee - The Canberra liberals maintain GP clinics shouldn't pay the tax at all. Elizabeth Lee, Canberra Liberals leader - tying bulk billing rates with payroll tax is not going to work Andrew Barr - The strength of this model is that there is a direct correlation bulk billed services and the tax concession and that's a strong incentive The one consensus; that bulk billing rates must rise.