CANBERRA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- A growing number of Australians are delaying vital health care because of costs, a government report has found.

The Productivity Commission on Thursday published its annual report on the health system, revealing soaring hospital waiting lists and major delays for ambulances, dental care, and doctor appointments.

It found 3.5 percent of Australians postponed or skipped visits to their general practitioner (GP) in 2021-22 because of the cost -- up from 2.4 percent the previous year.

Almost a quarter of the population delayed seeing a mental health professional because they could not afford it.

More than 23 percent of people who saw their GP waited longer than they thought appropriate for an appointment.

The report was released ahead of a key meeting on Friday between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state and territory leaders where they will discuss health system reforms.

The state premiers and health ministers have joined forces to lobby the federal government to overhaul Medicare, Australia's universal health care system, and increase hospital funding.

Mark Butler, the Minister for Health, has previously conceded the health system is in the worst state of Medicare's 40-year history.

It has never been harder to see a doctor than it is right now, he said on Wednesday. "It's also never been more expensive."

"We've been working very cooperatively with doctors groups, patient groups, nurses groups, allied health groups, and many others to develop the Strengthening Medicare Task Force report and the Prime Minister has committed to presenting that at National Cabinet later this week," he said. Enditem

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