Federal Health Minister Mark Butler warns Medicare is in the worst shape of its 40-year history and a comprehensive revamp is needed to make the sector viable.
Mr Butler said less than 14 per cent of graduates were choosing careers in the health sector.Doctors warn the costs of running general practices are becoming too much to bear, with a lack of government support forcing them to close or charge patients more.
"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," he told the ABC.The minister has worked with medical and patient groups to investigate problems with Medicare, with a final report to be published within weeks and funding to flow in the federal budget.
There are also significant workforce issues, with fewer medical graduates choosing general practice than ever before. The general practice workforce issue formed part of the report on Medicare and has been discussed at national cabinet.
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