Australians can expect to see more spending on health by the federal government in the upcoming budget, the treasurer says.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg flagged the allocations won't just be on COVID-related measures but on health care more broadly.
"This budget will be putting more money into health and our health response, not less," he told an Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry forum on Friday.
Spending on hospitals, telehealth services and listing more drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme are expected to be part of the budget being released on March 29.
Mr Frydenberg says the government has previously listed every drug recommended by the independent advisory group.
"That obviously has a significant cost to the budget but it's a huge benefit to families," he said.
"Drugs that may have otherwise cost $6000 or $7000 for a course are now $40, or if you're a concessional card holder it could be a fraction of that."
