System-wide reforms needed for Australia’s health

Strengthening Medicare Taskforce and superannuation for surgery in Australia’s media this week.

The AMA has been in the nation’s press this week talking about the present and future of Australia’s healthcare system.

AMA President Professor Steve Robson spoke to ABC Online about the concerning rise in Australians drawing on their superannuation to fund medical costs. Professor Robson said people were increasingly accessing superannuation for elective surgery where they otherwise faced long waits for treatment in public hospitals. "I think it's a big concern that people have to withdraw money from super to afford surgery," he said. 

"We have a public system that should be providing this — we need to look very carefully at the system in Australia to make sure we manage the financial impact on Australians."

Professor Robson spoke to Lisa Millar on ABC News Breakfast on the same subject saying he was “shocked” by the figures.

“We’re in a situation where many, many Australians feel that they cannot obtain the medical care—whether its operations or medical treatments that they need—without resorting to withdrawing money from their super, and I think that should be a big red flag for the system, for us to examine what sort of treatments that they’re having and why they can't get them at the moment without having to raid this super,” Professor Robson said.

He said the figures indicate it is more than IVF and weight-loss surgery driving the increase, and that the AMA would “be very interested in exactly what it is that people feel is so vital and they can't access any other way at the moment. That's a big concern and we need to understand this more and work out how we can change things so that people don't have to cash in on their future to get treatment now”.

AMA Vice President Dr Danielle McMullen were also quoted this week in the Sydney Morning Herald on the issue of system-wide healthcare reform ahead of Friday’s meeting of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.

Dr McMullen noted the antecedent of the taskforce in the 10-year plan for primary care, meaning the taskforce “wouldn’t need to start from scratch,” and that the plan is the product of “unprecedented cooperation” between peak medical and healthcare groups.

“Minister Butler has shown through the establishment of the taskforce, and the $750 million down payment, that he is committed to significant primary care reform,” Dr McMullen said.