First ever medicine for crippling genetic kidney disease added to PBS

The Liberal National Government will list a new medicine for adults with genetic kidney disease on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), saving patients around $23,000 a year.   Jinarc® (tolvaptan) will be available through the PBS from 1 January 2019.   It is the first effective drug treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)…

Mental health support this holiday season

For many, Christmas and New Year is a time of celebration with family, friends and loved ones.   However, the end of year holiday season can also be a time when many people experience stress, anxiety, depression, or social isolation.   Over this period, I want to encourage those seeking help to visit the Head…

Funding support for world leading cancer research

The Liberal National Government will invest  in world leading cancer research that will focus on more accurate diagnosis, more effective treatments and improved survivorship of a broad range of cancers.   Our Government, through Cancer Australia, will invest $7.1 million in research grants, with an additional $4.7 million contributed by funding partners Cancer Council Australia,…

Record high Medicare bulk billing rate

More Australians are visiting their doctor without having to pay a cent, with new data showing a record GP bulk billing rate for the September quarter.   The data for the first quarter of the 2018-19 financial year has the GP bulk billing rate at a record 86.1 per cent.   This is 0.2 per…

Sky News interview with Tom Connell

E&OE…                       Topics: $110 million support for young Australians with severe mental illness; CAR-T Therapy; health insurance costs; sugar tax   TOM CONNELL: Let’s go to our next interview of the day though, Health Minister Greg Hunt has been good enough to join us in Brisbane where, well, plenty of announcements lately, Minister, but let’s…

6PR interview with Jane Marwick

E&OE…                       Topics: $185 million for dementia and ageing medical research; CAR-T Therapy; private healthcare premiums; pill testing at festivals   JANE MARWICK: So a couple of big announcements from the federal Health Minister who joins me now. He is Greg Hunt. Minister, good morning, welcome to the program.   GREG HUNT: And good morning…

$110 million support for young Australians with severe mental illness

The Liberal National Government is providing $110 million so a number of headspace centres around the country can continue to provide specialist clinical services for young people at the early stages of severe mental illness.   Federal Member for Flinders, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, said the two-year funding will go to continue the Early…

$110 million support for young Australians with severe mental illness

The Liberal National Government is providing $110 million so a number of headspace centres around the country can continue to provide specialist clinical services for young people at the early stages of severe mental illness.   The two-year funding will go to continue the Early Psychosis Youth Services (EPYS) program at 14 different headspace centres…

The lowest private health insurance premium change in 18 years

The Liberal National Government’s reforms to make private health insurance simpler and more affordable have delivered the lowest annual premium change in 18 years. The average premium change for 2019, which will take effect on 1 April, will be 3.25 per cent, down over 40 per cent since Labor’s last year in office. This is the…

Doorstop – Brisbane

E&OE…                       Topics: $185 million for dementia and ageing medical research   PANKAJ SAH: So I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Jagara and the (inaudible) people – the Traditional Owners of this land.   I went to a meeting today. It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Honourable Greg Hunt, Minister for Health;…