MTAA Welcomes Health Investments
The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) has welcomed the Government’s second Federal Budget and its investments into health care and improving health outcomes for Australians.
MTAA agrees that Medicare is the foundation of Australia’s primary health care system, and commends the Government for investing $5.7 billion, over five years from 2022-23, to strengthen Medicare and make it cheaper and easier to see a doctor.
The Government announced it was tripling the incentive paid to GPs to bulk bill consultations for families with children under 16 years, pensioners and Commonwealth concession card holders. This will support 11.6 million Australians to access a GP with no out-of-pocket costs, meaning more people will be able to seek the critical care they need.
MTAA welcomes the Government’s investment of $61 million, over four years, for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) delivery of “public good activities,” and encourages the Government to continue to work with industry to better develop fit-for-purpose and internationally competitive funding arrangements for TGA.
MTAA is also supportive of the Government’s investment of $23.6 million to remedy previous changes to MBS orthopaedic items which are said to have impeded patient access to orthopaedic procedures.
MTAA looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Government, Minister Butler and the Department to ensure Australians are able to access the life-saving medical devices they need.
