Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed an additional 1.7 billion dollars in funding to strengthen Medicare and support public hospitals across the country. This funding boost aims to reduce waiting times, cut waiting lists, and manage the pressure on emergency departments. Albanese and Minister for Health Mark Butler on Wednesday said that the federal government has reached a deal with all eight states and territories to increase funding for the public healthcare system in 2025-26. Albanese will face a general election in 2025, where his Labor Party aims to win a second term in power. The election must be held by May.