Parliament to Look at How Medicare Changes Affect Rural Communities
30 Jan 2026
The Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs will examine:
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How the Medicare changes affect access to GP services, including telehealth.
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Whether small rural practices can survive under current Medicare funding and incentives.
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If current Medicare rules contribute to avoidable trips to emergency departments or preventable hospital admissions.
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Whether Medicare supports the team-based care models needed in rural, regional and remote areas.
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The difference in impact on large corporate healthcare providers versus small, community-based clinics.
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What reforms are needed to make Medicare fair and sustainable for country Australians.
RACGP Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements said the inquiry is a good chance to show that rural communities need a different approach to health funding.
“Outside cities, funding systems need to be adapted,” he said. “In rural areas, health funding silos just don’t work. This review seems to be looking at that.”
Associate Professor Clements said the college will make a submission and hopes the committee’s recommendations will lead to meaningful changes. Submissions are open until 27 March, and the report is expected by 30 June.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright also welcomed the inquiry, saying rural GP practices are the lifeblood of their communities and need proper funding to survive.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: RACGP / newsGP
