The Latest Breaking News from AMA

WASHINGTON — Dr. Timothy McAvoy, an internist from Waukesha, Wisconsin, held his infant granddaughter last Tuesday while standing in the Longworth House Office Building, waiting to talk to a congressional aide about increasing Medicare pay for doctors.

Uni in pharmacy pill fight

Last financial year, the Australian government spent almost A$29 billion on Medicare. Most was spent on primary care – a patient’s usual first contact with the health system when sick or injured, such as GP, allied health and diagnostic services. Every year, this spending increases.

Tasmania's peak medical body says maternity services in the state's north-west are no longer safe and the state government needs to immediately take them over.

Maternity services at a private hospital in northwest Tasmania are unsafe and overwhelmed, the Australian Medical Association says.

A Medicare rebate increase is not off the table but the health minister warns reforms will be the first step before more money is put into the system.

Health sector welcomes the broad vision of taskforce report, but worries it’s short on details, a timeline and money

Strengthening Medicare report welcomed but experts criticise lack of detail on making GPs more affordable for Australians

Better digital systems are to be discussed at national cabinet, while the AMA will call for stronger safeguards to protect patient data