Federal Reprieve saves Bulk-Billing GP Access for Melbourne’s Vulnerable
Melbourne,VIC – A last-minute intervention from the federal government will ensure continued bulk-billing services at cohealth,a vital general practice serving Melbourne’s inner city,averting a potential healthcare crisis for vulnerable patients. The decision follows weeks of intense campaigning by community groups and Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri, who warned of the devastating impact service closures would have on those most in need.
The federal government’s commitment provides a temporary reprieve, guaranteeing access to essential GP care for a population heavily reliant on bulk-billing. cohealth, which serves a diverse community including many experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction, was facing meaningful financial pressures that threatened its ability to continue offering free medical services. A review of cohealth’s operations, commissioned jointly with the Victorian government, will be completed before July of next year and will determine the long-term sustainability of the service.
“But it shouldn’t have had to come down to eleventh-hour bailouts or political pressure and it’s disappointing Labor wouldn’t prioritise something as significant as healthcare for some of our community’s most vulnerable in the first place,” de vietri stated.”Our community deserves more than stop-gap politics and we’ll keep fighting until we keep cohealth open for our community for good.”
The campaign for cohealth’s survival gained momentum in recent weeks, culminating in the federal government’s intervention. Community advocate Stephen Jolly credited the public pressure with securing the temporary funding. ”The poorest people in the inner city will keep their bulk-billing GPs for now, and that’s a huge win,” Jolly said. “It’ll give us time to organize for a full reversal of the cuts next year.”
The upcoming review will assess cohealth’s operational model and explore sustainable funding solutions. The outcome will be critical in determining whether the vital service can continue to provide accessible healthcare to Melbourne’s most disadvantaged residents.
