Better support for asthma suffers

The Turnbull Government has today launched a new national strategy to help tackle asthma, while also providing an additional $1 million for an asthma support program in schools. One in ten Australians suffer from asthma and it is one of the most common chronic conditions among children. This is a significant health challenge for individuals…

Doorstop interview in Melbourne

E&OE…                        Topics: Launch of the National Asthma Strategy, Bill Shorten’s plan to hurt 13 million Australians with private health insurance, codeine, cabinet records, Ron Walker GREG HUNT: I’m delighted to launch the National Asthma Strategy today. We know that there are 2.5 million Australians…

Interview with Fran Kelly – ABC Radio National Breakfast

E&OE…                        Topics: Codeine; Innovation and Science Australia blueprint; border protection         FRAN KELLY: Greg Hunt is the Federal Health Minister. Government is backing this codeine crackdown. Greg Hunt, thank you very much for joining us in the Breakfast studio.  GREG HUNT: And…

Shorten’s plan would hurt 13 million Australians

Modelling by Deloitte shows that Labor’s plan to scrap lower-cost policies would result in a 16 per cent increase in private health insurance premiums for millions of Australians. That would make cover unaffordable for many individuals, families and pensioners. Labor has always hated private health insurance. In Government, Labor cut $4 billion from the rebate…

Press Conference – Sydney

E&OE…                        Topics: Bill Shorten’s plan to hurt 13 million Australians with private health insurance GREG HUNT: Today, Bill Shorten was given two opportunities to rule out slashing the Private Health Insurance Rebate away from pensioners, away from young families, away from lower income earners. …

Better support for patients with rare diseases

The Turnbull Government is improving Australia’s Life Saving Drugs Program to ensure patients with rare and life threatening diseases continue to get access to vital medicines. Patients will be better supported by a new process for listing drugs on the Program, which includes expanded criteria to consider medicines which both extend a patient’s life and…

Lowest private health insurance premium change in 17 years

The Turnbull Government’s reforms to take the pressure off private health insurance has today delivered the lowest annual premium change in almost two decades.  Health funds will have average weighted premium increases of 3.95 per cent from 1 April 2018.  This is the lowest since 2001 and lower than any year under the Rudd and…

Pharmacy trial to support patients with chronic pain

The Turnbull Government is providing $20 million to run a new trial program, through community pharmacies across Australia, which will support people suffering from on-going chronic pain.    Under the Pain MedsCheck trial pharmacists will assist patients who are taking medication to deal with on-going chronic pain of three or more months.    Through the…

Doorstop – Vermont South Amcal Pharmacy

E&OE…                        Topics: Pain MedsCheck trial launch; lowest private health insurance premium change in 17 years   GREG HUNT: I’m delighted to be here at the Vermont South Amcal Pharmacy with the part-owner, George Tambassis, who is also the president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia,…

Remarks and Doorstop – University of New South Wales

E&OE…                        Topics: $69 million boost for fight against rare cancers and rare diseases, anti-foreign interference laws, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership [Remarks] GREG HUNT: Thanks very much to Professor Ian Jacobs, the Vice Chancellor here at UNSW. There’s a reason I’ve made…