The health care world has changed a lot in 40 years, but Medicare hasn’t. Here are three areas for radical forms to the system that will achieve its aims of universal health care for all Australians.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on bulk billing
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In Australia’s bulk-billing ‘deserts’, it’s incredibly difficult to find a doctor who will bulk bill. The government should step in to support or set up clinics so locals have access to health care.
‘One-stop-shops’ that offer health services, advice and information can be great for self-care. But what about when big corporate players enter the game?
Medicare needs an overhaul to improve patients’ access to quality care. And we have a unique opportunity to shake up how health care is provided.
‘See your GP’ is standard advice. But what if you don’t have one? Or yours is shutting up shop? Here’s how to find a new GP who suits you.
Medicare rebated psychology sessions are going back down to ten, following their pandemic boost to 20. But we know ten isn’t enough for most mental health disorders.
GPs say they can’t survive on bulk-billing. But abandoning it altogether might leave vulnerable patients out in the cold.
Not everyone who wants a telehealth consultation with their doctor over the next six months will be eligible for one.
Australia is the only country in the OECD that allows specialists complete freedom to set their own fees. This puts patients at risk – but the government can help protect them.
Health announcements in the federal budget include a slow lifting of the Medicare rebate freeze, money for new medicines, and an increase in the Medicare levy to fund the NDIS.
Extra funding to GPs from lifting the Medicare Rebate freeze should be used to buy better data, so that future reform can be based on sound evidence.
High specialist fees in this country, and what they mean for Australians’ access to health care, have been of concern for some time.
Top contributors
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Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne
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Senior Lecturer in General Practice, The University of Queensland
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Professor of Health Economics, University of Technology Sydney
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Professor of Public Health, Bond University
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Reader in Health Economics, Centre for Health Economics, University of York
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Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW Sydney
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Professor of Health Economics, University of Technology Sydney
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Professor of Public Health, Southern Cross University
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Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University
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Senior Research Fellow Health Economics, The University of Queensland
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Professor of Telehealth; and Director of the Centre for Online Health, The University of Queensland
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Senior Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist, Deakin University
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Associate, Grattan Institute
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Program Director, Health and Aged Care, Grattan Institute
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Senior lecturer, The University of Queensland
