Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The honourable member would be well aware of the importance of providing better and more effective support at the primary healthcare level, the GP level, to people with chronic diseases. Our Health Care Homes trials are a very important part of that, because, as the honourable member knows, doctors will be rewarded for treating a patient in a much more holistic way rather than episodically. It is a very important trial. There are 10 regions where it is being rolled out, and Tasmania is one of them. We are giving Tasmanians the opportunity to participate in that.

Of course, all Australians have access to many medicines at much cheaper prices due to our national reforms to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. We have added lifesaving drugs, including for breast cancer and melanoma, which means that Tasmanians and indeed all Australians who need those medications, which could cost $100,000 per treatment, can now access them for only $38.80 for general patients and $6.30 for concessional patients. I assure the honourable member that at every level we are spending more on health care. We are doing everything we can to ensure that all Australians and all the constituents of the honourable member are getting the best health care possible and ensuring that our healthcare dollar goes as far as it can to ensure that they live healthy and active lives.

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