Professional News 2007

May 2007

Health funding needs reform

The current system of health funding in Australia has been critically analysed by a substantial number of stakeholders, particularly over the last decade. General agreement is beginning to emerge that the current system of funding is unsustainable; however agreement about the most appropriate solutions has not yet been achieved. Vigorous debate continues, in the media, among policymakers, within communities, and government, about the best way forward.

The main areas of concern are generally considered to be significant inflationary health care costs, and increasing evidence that the current system is inequitable, poorly integrated and inefficient.

There is concern about the nature of the systems’ organisation - for the Australian health care system is really a series of (at times poorly connected) systems - all of which face shortages of a sufficiently skilled and qualified workforce, as well as a sufficiently well distributed supply of adequate funds to meet rapidly increasing demand.

Described by the incumbent federal health minister as a “dog’s breakfast”, the current arrangements for health financing in Australia are very complex, and many proponents of change consider a simplification of the funding arrangements with clearer accountability would provide a more efficient and equitable system, as well as reduce the currently unsustainable inflationary pressures.

Unless workforce shortages are addressed and sufficient resources are made available, there are also concerns that the safety and quality of care will be further diminished. Altering the focus of health care is another area where reformists are calling for an increased emphasis on primary health care, rather than the illness focused system which currently predominates.

Alliances of concerned clinicians, academics, consumers, and researchers, such as the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance (AHCRA), are actively engaged in lobbying governments to consider reforming the system of health funding and health care delivery to provide a system that is safe, sustainable, and equitable both now and into the future. AHCRA is concerned that without significant reform the Australian health system will mirror the situation in America where access to health services is based not on need but ability to pay.

As an active member of AHCRA, it is important the ANF is able to represent the views of nurses in calls for reform. What elements of our health care system do you consider most urgently need reform? We would love to hear from you, so please complete the health survey in this edition of the ANJ.

Fiona Armstrong
ANF Federal Professional Officer