Hundreds of thousands of the sickest and poorest Australians are missing out on healthcare because of gaps in Medicare coverage and high fees charged by medical specialists. This report proposes some reforms that could save Australians about $1 billion in out-of-pocket payments each year.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese claimed that the cost of visiting the GP had risen 34 per cent under the Coalition. However, this does not account for the many people who receive bulk-billed GP services, or the fact bulk-billing rates have also increased. Verdict: Mr Albanese's claim is misleading.

Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt claimed that, under the Coalition, more Australians were being bulk-billed by their GP than under Labor. Verdict: Mr Hunt's claim is over-egged.

Acording to opposition health spokeswomen Catherine King the introduction of co-payments results in people avoiding seeing a doctor when they are sick and then ending up in emergency departments.

This article reviews research for the Menzies Centre for Health Policy that found that Australian doctors believe their patients are experiencing increasing financial hardship – with serious consequences for their health, and even death.