AMA Looks for Trust and Leadership (and Vision) in Election Health Policy
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that Australians would be looking for strong health policies this election that provide vision and structure and funding to allow the health system to serve this and future generations equitably and fairly.
Re-releasing the AMA's election policy manifesto - Key Health Issues for the 2004 Federal Election - Dr Glasson said health policy must be clever enough to serve the families of today and the rapidly ageing Australian population of tomorrow.
"It's all about trust and leadership and properly resourcing a system that provides vital health services and care for patients whenever and wherever they need them," Dr Glasson said.
"Health care must remain affordable, and patients must have quality and choice in their health services.
"We must maintain the right balance between the public and private sectors.
"There must be strong links to allow transition between care in hospitals, aged care facilities, the community and in the home. Patients must be in the right location with access to the proper care and treatment for their condition or ailment."
Dr Glasson said the AMA would examine the health policies of the major parties in detail with a particular focus on:
· Medicare - the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), the Medicare Safety Net, after hours GP services, GP red tape
· Public Hospitals - funding, Commonwealth/State cooperation, and links between hospitals, aged care and community and home care
· Aged Care - policies to plan for the health care of an ageing Australian population
· Private Hospitals - maintenance of the private health insurance rebate
· Medical Workforce - initiatives to address the alarming shortage of doctors, especially in rural, regional and outer-urban areas; getting rid of unfunded bonded medical places
· Public Health - obesity, smoking, climate change, immunisation, child abuse
· Indigenous Health - funding and Indigenous health workforce
· Veterans' Health.
"These issues are firmly in the minds of voters," Dr Glasson said.
"They are the main issues, but by no means all the issues. Health policy touches every Australian every day, so it is up to the major parties to deliver blueprints for the future that will ensure the Australian health system remains one of the best in the world," Dr Glasson said.
The AMA will issue a Report Card on health policy towards the end of the election campaign. AMA Key Health Issues for the 2004 Federal Election is available at /
2 September 2004
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761