AMA President Calls for Stronger Medicare and Better Access to Care
14 Aug 2026
AMA26 preparations underway
The AMA National Conference, AMA26, is now just two weeks away and will be held in Melbourne.
The event has been more than a year in preparation, with organisers working to bring together doctors and health professionals for the annual conference.
A limited number of tickets remain available, with sales closing on Sunday.
Concerns about urgent care messaging
The AMA President has raised concerns about government health messages directing patients towards urgent care centres for issues that could be managed by their GP.
The AMA supports patients thinking about their GP first when they have a health concern, while recognising that urgent care centres have a role in the health system.
The AMA says urgent care centres should support, rather than replace, general practice and emergency departments.
It is also continuing discussions with state and federal health departments about how healthcare options are communicated to patients.
Medicare reform remains a priority
The AMA President also met with the new head of the Medicare Benefits and Digital Health Division at the Department of Health.
Discussions focused on Assignment of Benefit reforms and the wider need for Medicare reform across general practice and specialist care.
The AMA says reforms should support patient care, a sustainable health workforce and efficient practice processes.
Improving healthcare in rural and remote areas
The AMA President is appearing before a Senate inquiry examining Medicare access and funding in rural, regional and remote Australia.
The AMA's position is that a person's location should not determine the healthcare they can access.
The organisation is calling for stronger support for local GPs and better Medicare funding for complex care, longer consultations and GP-led multidisciplinary teams.
It also wants greater support for practices providing services in rural and remote communities.
Improved access to specialist care closer to home is another focus, including through outreach services, telehealth and rural training pathways.
Misinformation remains a public health concern
The AMA has also highlighted the continuing impact of health misinformation, including misinformation about immunisation.
The organisation says inaccurate health information can affect public health when it spreads widely.
The AMA is encouraging members to take part in its survey examining misinformation and its impact on health.
AMA President Calls for Stronger Medicare and Better Access to Care
Source: Australian Medical Association (AMA), President's update, 14 August 2026