Integrated, multi-disciplinary GP led patient-centred medical homes represent the foundation of an evidence-based healthcare system. This is underpinned by increased funding rewarding quality, as well as industry and expertise to achieve the most cost-effective optimisation of health outcomes for patients and families, regardless of geography. This focuses on management of chronic and/or complex diseases, reduction in preventable hospital admissions and improved stewardship of resources, including in the aged care sector. Equally, it is important to recognise that general practice is critical to aged care services and mental health services — two significant and growing health areas.
Research
PILLAR 1
General practice
AMA analysis of Medicare indexation freeze
AMA analysis reveals that the freeze on Medicare rebates by previous governments resulted in $3.8 billion being stripped from the primary care system.
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The general practitioner workforce: why the neglect must end
After years of Government neglect, Australia is facing a shortage of more than 10,600 GPs by 2031–32.
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Why Medicare indexation matters
AMA analysis reveals the Australian Government has saved billions because of poor Medicare indexation, with the analysis revealing a saving of $8.6 billion from just one Medicare item since 1993.
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AMA’s plan to improve access to GPs
The AMA’s plan to improve access to GPs outlines practical and implementable solutions to support GPs to spend more time with their patients, provide more care, and deliver more health though comprehensive and evidence-based care.
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Solutions to the chronic wound problem in Australia
Chronic wounds are a hidden epidemic in Australia.
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Putting health care back into aged care
The AMA is championing for high quality medical and health care delivered by doctors and nurses to be at the heart of Australia's aged care system.
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PILLAR 2
Public hospitals
2023 Ambulance Ramping Report Card
The AMA's 2023 Ambulance Ramping Report Card shows every state and territory is falling short of their ambulance ramping performance targets.
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What happens when we fund hospitals to perform
Hospital performance had plummeted year-on-year since 2014 when the then government made changes to the National Hospital Funding Agreement.
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Hospital exit block: a symptom of a sick system
Addressing hospital exit block could save an estimated $811.6 million to $2.17 billion a year.
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Australian public hospitals in logjam
Only three of the 201 Australian public hospitals analysed are delivering care within recommended timeframes.
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Addressing the elective surgery backlog
New analysis performed by the AMA reveals that the number of people waiting for elective surgery has ballooned across Australia and is expected to reach more than 500,000 by 30 June this year if no action is taken by governments.
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Shining a light on the elective surgery ‘hidden’ waiting list
The elective surgery ‘hidden’ waiting list adds months and sometimes years to the time patients wait for elective surgery.
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AMA Ambulance Ramping Report Card
Every state and territory is failing to meet its performance targets for the time it takes to transfer patients from an ambulance to the Emergency Department.
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Public hospitals: Cycle of crisis
Chronic underfunding of public hospitals has led to declining performance, putting lives at risk.
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PILLAR 3
Private health
Out-of-hospital models of care in the private health system
Millions of dollars can be saved, and tens of thousands of hospital beds freed up, if more out-of-hospital care is delivered in Australia’s private health system.
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The AMA Repeat Prescription for Private Health Insurance
The AMA Repeat Prescription for Private Health outlines several proposals to make private health insurance more affordable for those who currently cannot afford it, improve its value proposition for consumers, and the wider health system, and to position our private health system into the future.
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A whole of system approach to reforming private healthcare
The AMA is calling for the establishment of an independent and well-resourced Private Health System Authority to fill the gaps in the current regulatory environment and oversee the private healthcare system.
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AMA prescription for private health insurance
The AMA has developed a list of policy prescriptions to improve the health of the system.
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PILLAR 4
A health system for all
A sweet deal: the case for taxing sugar-sweetened beverages
The AMA's latest report on the impact of a sugar tax reveals the tax would generate around $1 billion in revenue annually and result in the reduction of 2.6 kilograms of sugar per person, per year.
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Health is the best investment: Shifting from a sickcare system to a healthcare system
What if we stopped viewing healthcare as a cost, and instead viewed it as an investment to be made?
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Why tax sugary drinks?
The Australian Medical Association has renewed its call for Australia to implement a tax on sugar sweetened beverages as part of its #SicklySweet campaign.
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A tax on sugar-sweetened beverages
The AMA has modelled the likely effects of a tax on sugary drinks on sugar consumption and government revenue.
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PILLAR 5
A health system for the future
Discussion paper: Rethinking funding models to align with population health goals
As it stands today, Australia’s health system looks less and less like the system needed to care for a growing and ageing population with increased complex and chronic disease. The intent of this discussion paper is to initiate a conversation on funding reform in Australia to ensure the future sustainability of our health system.
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Antimicrobial resistance: the silent global pandemic
Without new antimicrobials, the world may be on track to return to the medical ‘dark ages’.
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