Is healthcare reform finally on the horizon? Premiers propose changes to prescription powers and a higher Medicare rebate
- Replies 3
The ongoing nationwide health crisis continues to place a significant strain on state-funded hospitals and primary care systems. You’ve probably noticed this when trying to book a doctor’s appointment or if you’re waiting for a surgery date.
The pandemic has exacerbated the already existing challenges faced by the healthcare industry, causing widespread disruptions and increased pressure.
That is why, in response, State and Territory leaders are advocating for comprehensive healthcare reforms to address these issues and bring long-lasting positive change to the national healthcare system.
At a recent national cabinet meeting, leaders presented a list of demands to the federal government.
These demands included restoring 50-50 funding for hospitals, increasing the Medicare rebate, and implementing structural changes aimed at improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system.
They emphasised the urgent need for action to ensure that the country is better prepared to handle future public health emergencies and to provide adequate and accessible healthcare for all citizens.
The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce was established in July 2022 with the goal of providing the Australian Government with practical, actionable recommendations by the end of the year. The focus of the Taskforce is to:
The work of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce builds upon the foundation of Australia's Primary Health Care 10-Year Plan 2022-32.
New South Wales is making waves with its innovative proposal to shake up the traditional healthcare system by empowering pharmacists with the ability to prescribe medication.
This bold move would challenge the long-standing control that doctors have held over prescribing specific treatments, including antibiotics for urinary tract infections, skin conditions, infections, and birth control.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is not deterred by the resistance from some members of the medical community and firmly believes that the change is necessary. 'Change is always difficult, and there will always be different opinions and I completely respect that,' he said.
The Premier recognises that not everyone may agree with the proposal, but he remains steadfast in his commitment to improving healthcare for all citizens in NSW and beyond.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas praised the Albanese government for taking a critical step towards addressing the pressing issues in the primary care system.
Malinauskas approves of the upcoming release of the Strengthening Medicare report, which he believes will provide a much-needed roadmap for improving the performance of the health system, particularly the primary care system and its impact on the hospital system.
In a recent statement, the premier expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of the healthcare system, stating that the status quo is simply not acceptable.
He acknowledged that the states have been contributing to the funding of the system at an unsustainable pace and stressed that it is imperative for the proposed changes in primary care to translate into tangible, meaningful action.
The Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, is hoping for a solution to the ongoing struggle for primary health care in the state. Many medical practices are facing financial difficulties due to low Medicare rebates, and this is leading to decreased bulk billing rates and difficulties for patients to access appointments with their GP.
Despite primary healthcare being a responsibility of the federal government, Rockliff and the Tasmanian government are stepping up and investing in enhancing access to primary care throughout the state.
Rockliff is calling on the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce to address this critical issue and ensure that Tasmanians have access to timely and affordable primary health care.
The Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, rode to re-election on a promise to revolutionise the healthcare industry. With a 12-month pilot project set to launch in 2023, he plans to expand the role of community pharmacists to treat minor health conditions. This, he believes, will make Medicare 'fast, free and local’.
In addition to this, Andrews highlights the need to fix the broken primary care system in Australia. Despite primary care being a responsibility of the Commonwealth, the Victorian government is leading by example with its 'priority primary care centres' - free clinics hosting salaried GPs that see hundreds of patients each week, reducing the pressure on emergency departments.
The premier believes that to solve the problems in the primary care system, GPs need to be paid more, university places need to be increased to bring in a pipeline of new doctors, and sourcing GPs from overseas needs to be faster.
He is looking forward to discussing this issue at the national cabinet and making healthcare accessible to all
On the other hand, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler made it clear that the government has no intention of making changes to the Medicare rebate. Instead, he is looking to shake up primary care in Australia with bold changes.
He plans to provide funding for 'blended' services in medical centres, giving patients access to a wider range of healthcare professionals such as nurses and physiotherapists, not just general practitioners.
Butler argues that just pouring more money into the existing primary care system won't deliver the level of care that modern Australia needs.
He aims to create 50 urgent care clinics and work with the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce to determine the most effective ways to increase affordability, improve access, and provide better support for patients with chronic illnesses.
As we hold our breath and await the outcome, there's a glimmer of hope that we'll see a transformative change in the Medicare system.
If the thought of the proposed overhaul has you on edge, don't worry, you're not alone! We'll keep you in the loop with all the latest developments, so stay tuned for updates.
It's vital that we stay informed and proactive when it comes to our healthcare and well-being.
Members, what do you think of this article? Do you agree that the cost of out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-payments and gap fees, is becoming more unaffordable for some seniors?
Have you also faced long wait times for non-emergency and emergency procedures? Many also argue that the complexity of the Medicare system can make it difficult to understand and navigate, leading to confusion and frustration.
Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section!
The pandemic has exacerbated the already existing challenges faced by the healthcare industry, causing widespread disruptions and increased pressure.
That is why, in response, State and Territory leaders are advocating for comprehensive healthcare reforms to address these issues and bring long-lasting positive change to the national healthcare system.
At a recent national cabinet meeting, leaders presented a list of demands to the federal government.
These demands included restoring 50-50 funding for hospitals, increasing the Medicare rebate, and implementing structural changes aimed at improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system.
They emphasised the urgent need for action to ensure that the country is better prepared to handle future public health emergencies and to provide adequate and accessible healthcare for all citizens.
The nationwide health crisis is far from over yet, and with it comes greater stress on state-funded hospitals and the primary care system. Credit: RODNAE Productions.
The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce was established in July 2022 with the goal of providing the Australian Government with practical, actionable recommendations by the end of the year. The focus of the Taskforce is to:
- Enhance patient access to general practitioners, including after-hours services
- Expand patient access to GP-led multidisciplinary care, which includes nursing and allied health services
- Make primary care more affordable for patients
- Improve the prevention and management of chronic conditions
- Alleviate pressure on hospitals.
The work of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce builds upon the foundation of Australia's Primary Health Care 10-Year Plan 2022-32.
New South Wales is making waves with its innovative proposal to shake up the traditional healthcare system by empowering pharmacists with the ability to prescribe medication.
This bold move would challenge the long-standing control that doctors have held over prescribing specific treatments, including antibiotics for urinary tract infections, skin conditions, infections, and birth control.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is not deterred by the resistance from some members of the medical community and firmly believes that the change is necessary. 'Change is always difficult, and there will always be different opinions and I completely respect that,' he said.
The Premier recognises that not everyone may agree with the proposal, but he remains steadfast in his commitment to improving healthcare for all citizens in NSW and beyond.
With this change, doctors would no longer be the only ones who could prescribe certain treatments and antibiotics. Credit: Pexels/MART PRODUCTION.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas praised the Albanese government for taking a critical step towards addressing the pressing issues in the primary care system.
Malinauskas approves of the upcoming release of the Strengthening Medicare report, which he believes will provide a much-needed roadmap for improving the performance of the health system, particularly the primary care system and its impact on the hospital system.
In a recent statement, the premier expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of the healthcare system, stating that the status quo is simply not acceptable.
He acknowledged that the states have been contributing to the funding of the system at an unsustainable pace and stressed that it is imperative for the proposed changes in primary care to translate into tangible, meaningful action.
The Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, is hoping for a solution to the ongoing struggle for primary health care in the state. Many medical practices are facing financial difficulties due to low Medicare rebates, and this is leading to decreased bulk billing rates and difficulties for patients to access appointments with their GP.
Despite primary healthcare being a responsibility of the federal government, Rockliff and the Tasmanian government are stepping up and investing in enhancing access to primary care throughout the state.
Rockliff is calling on the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce to address this critical issue and ensure that Tasmanians have access to timely and affordable primary health care.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews believes Medicare should be 'fast, free and local'. Credit: Unsplash/Hush Naidoo Jade Photography.
The Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, rode to re-election on a promise to revolutionise the healthcare industry. With a 12-month pilot project set to launch in 2023, he plans to expand the role of community pharmacists to treat minor health conditions. This, he believes, will make Medicare 'fast, free and local’.
In addition to this, Andrews highlights the need to fix the broken primary care system in Australia. Despite primary care being a responsibility of the Commonwealth, the Victorian government is leading by example with its 'priority primary care centres' - free clinics hosting salaried GPs that see hundreds of patients each week, reducing the pressure on emergency departments.
The premier believes that to solve the problems in the primary care system, GPs need to be paid more, university places need to be increased to bring in a pipeline of new doctors, and sourcing GPs from overseas needs to be faster.
He is looking forward to discussing this issue at the national cabinet and making healthcare accessible to all
On the other hand, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler made it clear that the government has no intention of making changes to the Medicare rebate. Instead, he is looking to shake up primary care in Australia with bold changes.
He plans to provide funding for 'blended' services in medical centres, giving patients access to a wider range of healthcare professionals such as nurses and physiotherapists, not just general practitioners.
Butler argues that just pouring more money into the existing primary care system won't deliver the level of care that modern Australia needs.
He aims to create 50 urgent care clinics and work with the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce to determine the most effective ways to increase affordability, improve access, and provide better support for patients with chronic illnesses.
Major changes to primary care are likely to be implemented soon, but no specific details have been provided yet. Credit: Pexels/Kampus Production.
As we hold our breath and await the outcome, there's a glimmer of hope that we'll see a transformative change in the Medicare system.
If the thought of the proposed overhaul has you on edge, don't worry, you're not alone! We'll keep you in the loop with all the latest developments, so stay tuned for updates.
It's vital that we stay informed and proactive when it comes to our healthcare and well-being.
Members, what do you think of this article? Do you agree that the cost of out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-payments and gap fees, is becoming more unaffordable for some seniors?
Have you also faced long wait times for non-emergency and emergency procedures? Many also argue that the complexity of the Medicare system can make it difficult to understand and navigate, leading to confusion and frustration.
Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section!
.png){kind=icon}
