From Meryl's Desk PS Examiner - November column Labor has a long history of protecting and strengthening Medicare, after all, it is the party that created it all those years ago. In 2024, we celebrate 40 years of our universal healthcare service, but also set out to recognise its transformational power to deliver and strengthen community outcomes for our region. When Peter Dutton was Health minister under the Liberal Government, he froze the Medicare rebate, ripped $50 billion from public hospitals, and even tried to charge everyday Australians to access emergency. These policies put unnecessary stress on our health system and were not appropriate. Our Government has delivered support for our region by tripling the bulk-billing incentive, which resulted in a 3.1% increase in bulk billing across the Paterson electorate in the last 12 months - That's 75,737 more bulk billed trips to the doctor by people locally. delivered a fully bulk-billed MRI licence for Maitland hospital, Australians can access twice the amount of medicine on a single prescription And now, after only two and a half years of a Labor Government, the internationally-renowned Commonwealth Fund has ranked Australia as the highest performing health system in the world -that takes into account access, process, administrative efficiency, equity, and health outcomes. The Australian Government's 2024-25 Budget provides $2.8 billion to continue to strengthen Medicare. This is in addition to the historic $6.1 billion investment in Medicare in the 2023 24 Budget. These reforms respond to the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce and take the key steps needed to address the many pressing challenges in our healthcare system. All of this would be impossible without the great work done by our extraordinary health care workers, doctors, nurses, and other staff who work tirelessly to keep us healthy. On average, our Australian health system added one new doctor every hour last year. We want to continue delivering quality healthcare, and secure Australia's future as a leading healthcare nation. As your Federal Member, I can assist you with: Immigration Communications (including NBN) Centrelink Medicare Tax Child Support NDIS Veterans' Affairs Superannuation Aged Care Clayl MERYL WANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON 4983 2401 35 Sturgeon Street Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 meryl.swanson.mp#aph.gov.au www.merylswanson.com.au Authorised by Meryl Swanson ALP Raymond Terrace From Meryl's Desk PS Examiner - November column Labor has a long history of protecting and strengthening Medicare , after all , it is the party that created it all those years ago . In 2024 , we celebrate 40 years of our universal healthcare service , but also set out to recognise its transformational power to deliver and strengthen community outcomes for our region . When Peter Dutton was Health minister under the Liberal Government , he froze the Medicare rebate , ripped $ 50 billion from public hospitals , and even tried to charge everyday Australians to access emergency . These policies put unnecessary stress on our health system and were not appropriate . Our Government has delivered support for our region by tripling the bulk - billing incentive , which resulted in a 3.1 % increase in bulk billing across the Paterson electorate in the last 12 months - That's 75,737 more bulk billed trips to the doctor by people locally . delivered a fully bulk - billed MRI licence for Maitland hospital , Australians can access twice the amount of medicine on a single prescription And now , after only two and a half years of a Labor Government , the internationally - renowned Commonwealth Fund has ranked Australia as the highest performing health system in the world -that takes into account access , process , administrative efficiency , equity , and health outcomes . The Australian Government's 2024-25 Budget provides $ 2.8 billion to continue to strengthen Medicare . This is in addition to the historic $ 6.1 billion investment in Medicare in the 2023 24 Budget . These reforms respond to the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce and take the key steps needed to address the many pressing challenges in our healthcare system . All of this would be impossible without the great work done by our extraordinary health care workers , doctors , nurses , and other staff who work tirelessly to keep us healthy . On average , our Australian health system added one new doctor every hour last year . We want to continue delivering quality healthcare , and secure Australia's future as a leading healthcare nation . As your Federal Member , I can assist you with : Immigration Communications ( including NBN ) Centrelink Medicare Tax Child Support NDIS Veterans ' Affairs Superannuation Aged Care Clayl MERYL WANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON 4983 2401 35 Sturgeon Street Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 meryl.swanson.mp # aph.gov.au www.merylswanson.com.au Authorised by Meryl Swanson ALP Raymond Terrace