![The report calls for a staged approach to reforms to ensure governments can monitor the progress. (Tracey Nearmy/AAP PHOTOS) The report calls for a staged approach to reforms to ensure governments can monitor the progress. (Tracey Nearmy/AAP PHOTOS)](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/a0a30bc3-8e20-47c5-80ed-e89cd9e562df.jpg/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
STRENGTHENING MEDICARE TASK FORCE REPORT FINDINGS
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* The federal government will commit $750 million to strengthening Medicare funds at the next budget for the recommended reforms.
* Patient-centered care is at the heart of the report's recommendations.
* The report called for a staged approach to reforms to ensure governments can monitor their progress and impact.
* More funding and better funding models to make healthcare services more affordable.
* Ensure Australians on low incomes can access primary care at no or low cost.
* Increase the availability of primary care services for urgent care to help with after office hours needs and reduce burden on emergency departments.
* Increase length of general practice consults.
* Better support for general practices and other primary care businesses to be able to employ nurses and allied health professionals.
* States and territories to review barriers and incentives for medical professionals to particular specialisations such as general practice.
* Specific measures to address challenges in rural and remote Australia, by giving a greater role to primary health networks in these areas.
* Modernise My Health Record to increase information available to individuals and their healthcare professionals.
* Improve functionality of digital health and ensure state and federal levels of health care are better connected.
* Invest in health data for research and to evaluate models of care.
* Make it easier for all Australians to access, manage, understand and share their own health information and find the right care by improving digital healthcare literacy.
* Increase flexibility in models of care to address local needs.
* Work with healthcare providers to help them manage transitions to new ways of working.
* Support continued professional development for healthcare workers.
Australian Associated Press