Australians Priced Out of Essential Specialist Care
Dozens of Guardian Australia readers have come forward with alarming accounts of being unable to afford essential specialist medical care as out-of-pocket costs for non-GP appointments reach unprecedented levels. Some one-hour consultations are now costing patients as much as $1,000, creating significant barriers to healthcare access across the country.
What's Behind the Soaring Medical Fees?
Experts analysing the situation suggest multiple factors are driving these dramatic price increases. Our new series investigates the complex reasons behind the escalating costs, explores potential solutions, and provides practical advice for patients seeking to manage their healthcare expenses. The situation has reached a critical point where some Australians are being completely priced out of seeking necessary specialist care.
Other Major Developments Across Australia and Beyond
In other significant news, an Indigenous family has launched a landmark court case against NSW police, alleging racial discrimination after officers made 150 visits to their home over 20 months for bail checks. Meanwhile, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have lodged a native title claim over greater Melbourne, just one week after Victoria formalised a treaty with Aboriginal peoples.
The Australian Taxation Office faces scrutiny over its outsourcing practices, with consumer advocates warning that vulnerable taxpayers are being exposed through contracts with private call centre operators worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
In media circles, Australia mourns the passing of talkback radio veteran John Laws at age 90, while internationally, senior BBC bosses have resigned following accusations of serious bias in coverage of Donald Trump and other contentious issues.
Electric vehicle sales continue breaking records in Australia, with internal combustion engine vehicles falling below 70% market share for the first time, signalling a significant shift in the country's automotive landscape.
