GPs urge government to make healthcare more affordable as patients delay care

GPs are urging the government to do more to make essential GP care affordable after a national survey showed more people are delaying care they need due to financial concerns amid the cost-of-living crisis. 

ABS data released today revealed the proportion of patients citing cost as a reason they have delayed or avoided seeing their GP has increased from 7% to 8.8%. It also confirmed that females, younger people, lower income people and patients with long-term health conditions were more likely to delay or not use health services when needed due to cost. 

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said: “Funding gets results – GPs have been able to bulk bill more children, pensioners, and healthcare card holders since the tripling of bulk billing incentives. But more is needed to ensure everyone in Australia can get the care they need, and with the cost-of-living crisis, too many people are delaying essential care. 

“The ABS data shows that more people are delaying health care because they simply can’t afford it. We know that when people put off care, they get sicker and it puts more strain on our hospitals and the whole health system. 

“We’re also seeing young people starting to treat preventative care as optional, because it’s a cost they can’t afford, which is concerning. The survey showed that 15.4% of people aged 25-34 delayed GP care due to cost in 2023-24, up from 10.2% in the previous year. 

“Preventive care is essential at all ages – it is how we catch disease early, get on top of health issues, and help people live healthier and longer lives.  

“We’re calling on the government to do more to make general practice care accessible and affordable for everyone, including by increasing patients’ Medicare rebates for longer consults. 

“There is no substitute for the care you get from a GP who knows you, and your history. “More investment in general practice will help to ensure that people at every income level stay healthy and out of hospital.”  

~ENDS