Consumers Health Forum on the Federal Budget 2015-16

2015 – 2016 FEDERAL BUDGETWhat are the costs to your health?

MEDICARE REFORM

$34.3 million over two years to continue the Medical Services Advisory Committee's activities and deliver an expanded process of 

MBS Review. 

• MBS reform is needed, and CHF welcomes the commitment to continue the work of MSAC to support this review

• Consumers stand to benefit from a redesign of Medicare that is directed at ensuring that MBS items for outmoded procedures or those that lack an evidence base are given a thorough assessment

• The taxpayer stands to benefit from a more efficient and effective universal Medicare system

PRIMARY CARE / PHNs

• CHF welcomes the commitment to primary care reform, but we had hoped to see a greater investment in direct

provision of primary care services

• CHF will continue to advocate for consumer-centred models of primary health care supported by new, more appropriate ways of financing integrated, coordinated care, particularly

for people with complex and chronic conditions

• Efficient delivery of primary care services can reduce hospital visits, promoting health while driving down costs to

the system

PREVENTATIVE CARE

• The Budget does not go far enough to ensure Australia is on the front foot when it comes to preventing illnesses

• Australia is already struggling under the weight of preventable illnesses, diverting funds away from other needed community programs

• Under this budget, preventable chronic conditions will continue to plague Australia and the health system, driving up costs in the future

WORKFORCE REFORM

• Australians need a strong health workforce. Scholarships to train that workforce should not be a source of “savings” for the Government

• CHF is glad to see the Government is targeting regions where workforce priorities are still not being met

• The Budget does not really commit to workforce reform, it just shuffles existing funds in order to make savings

AFTER HOURS CARE

• “Refocusing” after hours primary care funding does not promote a healthier Australia. After hours care should be strongly supported and CHF is not convinced that a practice incentive is the best way to achieve improved access to and accountability for better after hours care

• The PIP’s criteria might cause GPs to determine that they cannot see enough patients to qualify for a payment, and so close their doors

• It’s a minuscule “saving” to the taxpayer that costs them access in both the near- and long-term

PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS SCHEME – SAFETY NET

• Will the co-payment and safety net threshold increase proceed ?

• From 1 January 2016, Safety net increase for the next four years by two prescriptions each year for concession card holders (or from $366 to $427.80) and by 10% each year

for everyone else (or from $1452.20 to $1597.80)

• CHF will strongly resist changes to the PBS co-payments that result in higher out of pocket costs for consumers

PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS SCHEME – MEASURES

• Better access to life-saving drugs for melanomas, breast cancer, and macular degeneration

• Australians aged between 70-79 will now be eligible to receive the shingles vaccine free of charge

• Amending the prices for PBS listed medicines will provide better value for public money as long as

access is not compromised

CANCER

• National Cancer Screening Register for Bowel and Cervical cancers will mean easier access to screening, detection and treatment for consumers

eHEALTH

• A robust electronic health record will improve continuity of care as people transition through the health system

• Two trials to rebuild consumer and clinical confidence

• How will the measures address clinician reservations about the system or provide incentives to participate ?

• How will consumers be engaged in the design and implementation ?

• The funding is for the eHealth record only and does not address the longer terms needs of a fully integrated health system

DENTAL

• Oral health is fundamental to the overall health, wellbeing and quality of life of Australians and there needs to be a national approach

• Will the process for the Reform of Federation White Paper ensure that there is a longer term plan for dental health ?

• In 2014 the NPA was deferred by 12 months

• The $155m is a reduction on the $200m which was in the previous Budget allocation

MEDICAL RESEARCH

• There is always a need for more research with chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s, still looking for successful treatments and cures

• What will the Fund will achieve in the short term ?

• Consumers face possible reduction of access to services as funding is diverted to finance the Fund

• Not good value for money if focused purely on medical research. CHF would prefer to see the fund’s priorities focused on health system and translation research that results in better care and better clinical practices

CHILDREN

• There will be reduced access to dental services for children and this will lead to poorer long term health outcomes

• Some children will miss out on vital child health checks as they do not access the State and Territory schemes

• Children’s health checks are not part of ongoing primary health care which will lead to decreased monitoring of children’s health

• Likely to be increased out of pocket expenses on child dental services as people cannot access the services they need

LAST YEAR’S CUTS

• CHF had hoped to see restoration of the $1.95 billion reduction in hospital funding from last year’s budget

• CHF is disappointed that the $121 million “rationalisation” in Indigenous health programs from last year’s budget has not been restored

• The retention of the $1.67 billion freeze in Medicare payments to doctors may mean many patients are likely to face higher medical bills

Consumers Health Forum of Australia 2015

To have your say on the 2015-2016 Federal Budget and it’s impact on Australian health

care visit ourhealth.org.au