Australia to Boost Medicare Clinic Spending Amid Deficit Concern

May 2, 2026 at 11:36 PM UTCAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the coming budget will boost spending on Medicare urgent care clinics as his government moves to address cost of living concerns while dealing with a worsening fiscal outlook.The government will spend an additional A$1.8 billion ($1.3 billion) in the next five years on the clinics, Albanese said Sunday in an emailed statement. The first facilities opened in 2023 in an effort to relieve strain on emergency rooms and the outlays will make them a permanent part of the health system.