To combat the issue, Australian Pathology – the peak national body representing Australia’s private pathology providers – is seeking a $630 million investment by the Federal Government, over four years, to reinstate indexation for pathology services provided under the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

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“Pathology is an essential part of the nation’s healthcare system and 70 percent of all medical decisions rely on pathology,” Australian Pathology CEO Liesel Wett said.

“GPs and other healthcare professionals can’t do their job without pathology.

“But unlike other parts of the health system, the sector hasn’t seen a change to the indexation rate that applies to pathology services for 24 years.

“We’re seeking an investment of funds that will lift that freeze, support the sustainability of the sector and help keep pathology bulk billed for local patients in Cowper,” she said.

Australian Pathology has written to Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan seeking support for the funding request, outlining that 54 pathology collection centres operate in his electorate.

Mr Conaghan has in the past advocated for increases to the Medicare Levy to help GPs bulk bill for pathology and medical costs to patients across the board.

Mr Cowper said he has repeatedly raised the topic of cost and access to regional healthcare both on the floor of Parliament and in the Coalition party room over the last four-plus years he has been in office.

“Unfortunately, these issues have only further compounded over that time,” he said.

Mr Conaghan indicated his support for Australian Pathology’s requested investment.

“You need pathology tests to detect diseases before they take further hold.

“Prevention is not just better than cure, it’s considerably cheaper in the long term.

“Australian Pathology should not be singled out by being subjected to annual indexation changes.

“I am happy to assist in facilitating these changes in any way that I can,” he said.

Mr Conaghan is also calling for urgent changes in the general practice and mental health settings.

“A recent report by CleanBill found that at the end of 2023, not one GP practice in our electorate was a bulk billing clinic,” he said.

“While some offered bulk billing to their existing pensioner patients, every other potential patient across the electorate was being charged out of pocket costs for each consultation at an average of over $42.

“In an electorate like ours where household incomes are considerably lower than the state and national averages, this is of grave concern.”

As of 2023, the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions were cut by half from 20 to ten.

“We know that mental health has become one of the most concerning areas of our healthcare system and one that many potential patients consider out of reach due to the cost.”

Mr Conaghan is urging for the number of these subsidised sessions to be reinstated to 20.

“We need that to happen today, particularly in the face of rising cost of living pressures.

“You should not have to choose between your mental health care and keeping a roof overhead.”

By Andrea FERRARI