Health Care

The Principles

1. The present Australian system of health care, funded from government, non-government and private sources, is fundamental to our social cohesion. It is a means of providing universal access to quality care, based on rights of equity, universality and ease of access.

2. A person-centred system is preferable to one that is facility-centred or merely profit-making.

3. Frail, chronically ill or marginalised persons must not be disadvantaged.

4. Corporatisation which promotes the privatisation of the health care system is to be rejected. Private hospitals, especially charitable and non-profit hospitals, should continue to be complementary to public hospitals.

The Issues

1. Funding available under the Health Care Agreement for States and Territories, and subject to indexation, is inadequate to meet rising health expenditure. Demands of an ageing population and needs for research and improved medical technology are not being met by government funding.

2. For rural and regional Australians there has been a rise in morbidity and mortality rates. The number of rural and regional health workers as well as environmental issues need to be addressed.

3. Present government policy supports those who choose the private health system through private health insurance. The rebate on PHI affects government health budgetary planning, so that those who are not privately insured are disadvantaged.

4. Lower socio-economic groups are affected by a lack of funding for home and community care for those who are chronically ill. Funds are inadequate for disability services, the Commonwealth Dental Health Programme has ceased, and the cost of prescriptions has risen because of the reform of Pharmaceutical Benefits.

Alternatives

1. Develop policies which will make available primary health care as well as new technology and appropriate services for outer metropolitan, rural and regional communities.

2. Increase available funding, so that all Australians, indigenous and non-indigenous, have access to affordable health care.

3. Improve collaboration between government and non-government sectors in providing health services by formalising current discussion mechanisms and creating new links.

4. Reinstate the Commonwealth Dental Programme.

5. Redirect unspent funds available in the health system to assist public hospitals which are under pressure in emergency departments, elective surgery categories and with lengthy waiting lists.