Peter Dutton’s ‘American style’ Medicare reforms would have cost families $800 a year

News.com.au - 15/04
Anthony Albanese is plotting a new assault on Peter Dutton’s Medicare credentials accusing him of previously backing ‘American-style’ reforms including $7 fees for emergency department visits and pathology tests.

Anthony Albanese is plotting a new assault on Peter Dutton’s Medicare credentials accusing him of previously backing ‘American-style’ reforms including $7 fees for emergency department visits and pathology tests.

Warning the reforms if implemented would have cost some families up to $800 a year, the Prime Minister warned Mr Dutton as health minister also increased patient co-payments for PBS medicines.

While Mr Dutton’s previous support for introducing a new $7 fee to see a GP is well-known, the ALP plans to highlight other measures he championed including a new fee for fronting up in emergency with minor ailments.

Ten years ago, Peter Dutton signalled dramatic changes to Medicare to address “staggering” increases in health spending including a new $7 fee for visits to the doctor.

Pledging to “start a national conve...
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