‘Health is an essential right’: Calls for government to invest more in primary care

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins says health is an “essential right,” and the federal government needs to make sure investments are made in primary care. Her remarks come as medical professionals are calling for a $16 increase in Medicare rebates for consultations which are more than 20 minutes long. “We keep pouring more and more money into expensive hospitals,” Dr Higgins told Sky News Australia. “But prevention is better than cure. “Let’s put the money right at the start – keep people out of expensive hospitals, and make sure they stay in the community with their families and their supports.”