Is Mark Butler forcing mixed-billing GPs to offer their ‘care for free’? He says no
The Health Minister told GPs the shift to bulk-billing was happening just as the government expected.
The Minister for Health and Ageing has stayed unfazed by accusations that his government is misrepresenting the business of general practice by promising patients “free” GP appointments.
Mark Butler opened the RACGP’s annual conference on Friday, trying to sell attendees on the Federal Government’s $8 billion in funding for bulk-billing incentives and loadings for universally bulk-billing GP practices.
RACGP president Dr Michael Wright then had the task of questioning the minister.
“We’ve seen the media saying, ‘GP visits are now free. Go and question your GP if they’re not free,’” Dr Wright said.
