The Latest Breaking News from Mark Butler

The public will be left more susceptible to medical misinformation and harm, doctors and academics say

New advertising campaign encourages those at higher risk of infection ‘to look out for symptoms and get vaccinated if eligible’

A repeat of a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases over the upcoming summer period is unlikely, says Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.

The watchdog responsible for policing Medicare investigates just 0.07 per cent of health professionals each year, is chronically understaffed and underfunded, and is led by bureaucrats with strong links to the powerful Australian Medical Association, an ABC-Nine investigation has found.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledges a "very challenging" situation as diabetes patients are prioritised amid a global shortage of two popular drugs.

Medicines used to treat Australians with skin cancer, lung cancer and a rare genetic disease have been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

An ABC-Nine investigation exposes flaws in Medicare's systems that make it susceptible to fraud and overservicing.

Health Minister Mark Butler says while claims of $8 billion of Medicare rorts a year are higher than expected, the allegations are being taken seriously.

The service was cut late last year, but Labor made an election promise to restore it.