Healthcare affordability and accessibility top priority for consumers ahead of Federal Budget

Pharma News: With the Federal Budget set to be delivered in just one week, there is a critical need for measures that enhance the affordability and accessibility of healthcare for Australians, according to Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF).

Recent data sheds light on an alarming trend, with more patients delaying or cancelling medical appointments due to ongoing cost-of-living challenges.

“CHF wants to see more money going into health literacy so Australians can understand their health and how to navigate the healthcare system, we want to see Australians being able to better afford visiting their dentist, their doctor and their psychologist and we want to see more being done to make medicines cheaper for everyone,” said CHF CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny.

CHF underscored the necessity of funding for community education initiatives, such as the Understanding Medicare – Understanding your health program, endorsed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). This program aims to explain to everyday Australians what they can access under the current Medicare system and how to better navigate the healthcare system.

“In the 40th year of Medicare we think now is the time to go into the community and explain what exactly Medicare does and doesn’t provide. We haven’t really done this type of community education about the health system since Medicare was first introduced in the mid-80s,” noted Dr Deveny.  

In alignment with its objectives, CHF proposed advancing the third phase of 60-day dispensing to July 1, 2024, facilitating cost savings and convenience for consumers. Additionally, CHF advocated for digitising the recording of PBS Safety Net transactions to foster greater awareness and utilisation of this vital support mechanism.

“The reliance on the paper system means that consumers aren’t always aware when they are close or have hit the safety net. Many consumers we speak to still don’t know that the safety net exists. Our hope is by automating the recording into an online system, consumers can track their spend and know when they can start benefiting from the safety net,” explained Dr Deveny.

Furthermore, CHF stressed the importance of improving access and affordability of allied health services, recognising their role in managing chronic conditions and preventing hospitalisations.

“Whether it’s seeing a speech pathologist for your child or psychologist, we want to see consumers paying less out of their own pockets to access this important care, which in many cases helps people manage chronic conditions and keeps them well and out of hospital,” concluded Dr Deveny.

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