Monique Ryan (Kooyong, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Eleanor, from Hawthorn, wrote to me recently. She's only 19. She has multiple chronic physical problems and she's increasingly concerned about how expensive it is to see her GP. Arne, from Hawthorn, told me that it would be a huge relief for him if our government would address the cost of seeing a doctor. After Anne, from Glen Iris, retired recently, she was told that her GP can no longer afford to bulk-bill. She's worried she might have to go to a public hospital for her routine preventative care. She feels safer with her GP. She feels that all Australians should have basic rights to free good health, to education and to a house to live in.

Times are tough. We need to support our GPs and to reduce their workload. We need to help Australians afford their medications. We know that many miss doses and delay refilling scripts because they just can't afford them.

In 2018, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme committee identified 143 commonly prescribed medications which could safely be prescribed for two months at a time for up to 12 months on a single prescription. Many peak bodies supported this suggestion. Faced with powerful lobby groups, the last government lacked the courage to put it into effect. I call on this government to affect that change to take pressure off our GPs and to reduce the cost of medications for all Australians living with chronic diseases.