Reported at www.abc.net.au: The Coalition has pledged to match Labor’s $8.5 billion Medicare funding initiative over four years, aiming to restore bulk billing rates, which have reportedly declined under the current government.

Labor’s plan seeks to make nine out of ten GP visits free from out-of-pocket expenses by the end of the decade, while the Coalition’s proposal includes an additional $500 million for mental health services.

Both parties plan to implement their funding changes in November if they win the upcoming federal election.