Consumers to have greater say in health reforms

Pharma News: The health reforms announced in the Federal Budget have been hailed by the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) as a positive step towards addressing the long-standing need for affordable healthcare services.

CHF has welcomed the key initiatives, which include a $3.5 billion investment to triple the bulk billing incentive, leading to more free GP consultations for children under 16, pensioners, and other Commonwealth concession cardholders. The consumer organisation has also welcomed the 60-day dispensing of 300+ medicines on a single trip to the local pharmacy, and the indexation increase to Medicare rebates.

“For years, consumers have been telling us they need more access to affordable primary care services. The reforms announced are an excellent start,” CHF CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny said.

“Rather than increase the Medicare rebate across the board, these changes incentivise GPs to provide extra care to pensioners and children, as well as those who have high levels of chronic and complex health conditions or socioeconomic disadvantage, at no cost.”

The government has also allocated $10.5 million over four years to support CHF’s engagement and support of consumers across Australia. This funding will enable health consumers to have a greater say in the design and implementation of health reforms that affect them.

Some 3000 consumers signed CHF’s petition asking the government to give consumers a greater say in making our primary care system more effective and efficient.

“We asked the government to listen to consumers and they have done this,” Dr Deveny said.

“For too long the needs of everyday Australians have been drowned out by lobby groups. Today the tide has turned. This government has demonstrated that putting consumers at the centre of health policy and service delivery is now a firm commitment.”

Additionally, $2.5 million in seed funding has been provided to the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) to establish the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative. This initiative aims to empower culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians to advocate and contribute their voices to healthcare.

These measures support the recommendations of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, which called for consumers, particularly those from disadvantaged groups, to have a voice in the design of services that meet the needs of all Australians. CHF sees this as a significant win for health consumers, and looks forward to working with all parts of the health system to enhance the health and wellbeing of all Australians.

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