THE FEDERAL Government Budget announced last night will see money being injected into Australian research, Universities and Hospitals as well as seeing changed conditions for private health insurance holders and rural doctors.

The government announced $3.2b had been allocated from the health budget to be injected into Australian hospital upgrades over the next four years. $1.5b will be put towards NSW hospital upgrades including Nepean.

The announced budget will also see $2.6b being spent on universities and science research initiatives across the country, though the money isn’t planned to be allocated until 2011-12.

In a back flip on last year’s budget, the Commonwealth Seniors health card which provides cheap medicine will not be taken away from self-funded retirees. Those economically eligible for the card will continue to receive discounted PBS medicines, discounted Medicare safety net threshold and travel.

In regards to practitioners, rural doctors will receive $134m package designed to boost the medical workforce. This package includes a $120,000 incentive to practice in regional and rural areas.

The Government estimates this incentive will be awarded to over 2400 rural doctors in 500 towns nationwide.
Medicare will now be available to asylum seekers, who will also be given the right to work while their applications are being assessed.

For private health insurance holders, the current 30% rebate will be reduced and will be dropped altogether for singles on high incomes. The new rates will be introduced on 1 July 2010.