Strengthening Medicare Taskforce: APNA’s involvement

APNA has represented the interests of primary health care nurse on the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce (SMT) since the very beginning.

APNA President Karen Booth has been very active representing primary health care nurses in the media. Please see below for links to the SMT report, APNA’s response, official announcements from Federal Health Minister Mark Bulter MP, and a selection of media stories in which Karen was involved:

• Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report

• APNA media release: We agree. It's now time for action. Nurses are ready for change

• Media release from Federal Health Minister Mark Butler: Strengthening Medicare for the future 
• Transcript of Minister Butler's press conference on the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report; 3 February 2023

APNA’s media work:

• The Australian: Not fit for purpose: Medicare to undergo shake-up (Paywall)

• ABC Radio National: Medicare changes seek to take pressure off GPs, but will it work? (audio file)

• Sydney Morning Herald: Nurses, pharmacists held back by red tape, turf wars: health minister (Paywall)

• Guardian Australia: An improved My Health Record will be at centre of push to modernise primary healthcare 

• Guardian Australia: Medicare review: what changes can we expect to see - and what’s still missing? 

• Croakey: Wrapping reactions to the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce report