The Latest Breaking News from Mark Butler

A repeat of a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases over the upcoming summer period is unlikely, says Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.

The watchdog responsible for policing Medicare investigates just 0.07 per cent of health professionals each year, is chronically understaffed and underfunded, and is led by bureaucrats with strong links to the powerful Australian Medical Association, an ABC-Nine investigation has found.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledges a "very challenging" situation as diabetes patients are prioritised amid a global shortage of two popular drugs.

Medicines used to treat Australians with skin cancer, lung cancer and a rare genetic disease have been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

An ABC-Nine investigation exposes flaws in Medicare's systems that make it susceptible to fraud and overservicing.

Health Minister Mark Butler says while claims of $8 billion of Medicare rorts a year are higher than expected, the allegations are being taken seriously.

The service was cut late last year, but Labor made an election promise to restore it.

The federal government labels an investigation uncovering widespread rorting of Medicare as "troubling", ordering a report from the Health Department.

The devastating floods hitting large swathes of the country will put more pressure on the already-pressured federal budget and the cost of some essential items.

The last of the remaining public health restrictions against COVID-19 have been dropped.

The precarious state of general practice is the most concerning pressure on the healthcare system right now, according to federal Health Minister Mark Butler, who has met experts to brainstorm long- and short-term solutions amid concerns the GP workforce could collapse.