The recently released report from the House of Representatives' inquiry into the registration processes and support for overseas-trained doctors highlights some major shortfalls in how Australia’s health…
We need to rethink our aged care workforce and funding for dementia patients.
Alex E Proimos
Last week, Alzheimer’s Australia released a report that was highly critical of the way Australia’s aged care sector responds to the needs of dementia suffers and their families.
It’s an issue that demands…
Current strategies to increase the number of Australian trained medical graduates entering rural practice are not working.
Paul Hocksenar
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is urging the government to consider the establishment of new medical schools in rural and regional areas to boost the number of doctors in the countryside. The…
Health performance targets can come with unintended consequences.
AloneAlbatross
The Gillard Government’s health reform legislation passed through parliament without too much fanfare last year, marking the end to the political debates around health reform.
Importantly, the legislation…
A strong health system can balance public and private care – just look at Australia.
AAP
After a long, painful political and legislative process, the United Kingdom’s Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition government has finally been given the green light to proceed with its National Health…
Almost 90% of the world now has access to drinking water, but there is still a long way to go
barefoot photographers of tilonia/flickr
Did you hear about the latest success for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? Don’t be ashamed to say no – most of the world missed it with you.
So what happened? You’ll remember that the MDGs are…
After the election, healthcare reform needs to be a priority for the Queensland government.
AAP Image/Dan Peled
By Andrew Wilson, Queensland University of Technology
No matter who wins the Queensland election this Saturday, the next premier of Queensland will have to face up to some serious challenges within the state’s health system.
There were improvements made…
Better diets and more exercise could prevent 43,000 cancer diagnoses a year.
joshbousel
Cancer is one of the most common public health threats facing Australians and accounts for nearly one-fifth of the disease burden in this country. The direct cost to the Australian community is approaching…
Predictions that people will leave private health insurance are unlikely to come true.
AAP
The government finally got its bill on means-testing private health insurance rebates for high-income households through the House of Representatives this morning. Fortunately, the dire predictions about…
A private health insurance means test is unlikely to affect insurance uptake.
Flickr/mahr
The government’s bill to means test private health insurance rebates for high-income earners is scheduled for debate on Thursday in the House of Representatives. The package would deliver around $2.4bn…
Good dental health is important for overall health - so when will Australia see a national dental scheme?
AAP
As many of us recover from the festive binge of overeating, drinking too much and not exercising enough, spare a thought for the new health minister as she plans for 2012. An exciting agenda looms – will…
Plain packaging is one of many health reforms to enter or pass through parliament last week.
AAP
The final sitting of federal parliament last week lacked no drama, ending with the sudden induction of Peter Slipper as speaker. It was also a mammoth week for health legislation, with the passing of the…
Day 15 of OccupyMN protest that has occupied Minneapolis. Meanwhile corporate greed continues unabated.
Fibonacci Blue
At a time when the “Occupy Wall Street” protests against corporate greed are proliferating in the United States and around the world, it’s ironic to read the floating of yet another corporate “get-even…
A 40% public hospital budget cut has restricted access to care.
AAP
Another round of violent protests erupted in Greece last week, following the latest austerity cuts to public service jobs and pay. Meanwhile, the creeping consequences of austerity measures are beginning…
Current fee-for-service payments for doctors don't reward quality care.
Flickr/larique
Going to the doctor is, in many ways, like visiting a car sales yard. The customer has a limited knowledge of the product and the supplier may have a financial incentive to over-service or overcharge…
Older people are finally being consulted about the type of care they need.
EPA/Diego Azubel
Australia’s population is ageing, presenting an economic challenge to look after the most vulnerable members of our society.
The Productivity Commission released a report last month recommending a complete…
Bringing research, education and health care delivery together will improve patient care.
In an attempt to bring Australia’s medical research, education and healthcare sectors into line with world leaders, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is planning to develop a new…
Complementary medicines need tighter regulation.
Mickey Liaw
If a manufacturer claimed its product was “clinically proven” and could relieve your symptoms of bloating and fatigue, would you believe it?
What about if you were chronically or terminally ill and had…
If the government wants to support private health, it should fund the system directly.
Robin Thom
The government’s plan to means test the 30% private health insurance rebate faces an uncertain future after yesterday’s scheduled parliamentary debate was delayed.
Under the scheme, singles with health…
Four year-old Ayen Chol died after being attacked by a neighbour's pit bull cross (AFP PHOTO/William WEST)
The recent death of four year-old, Ayen Chol from a pit bull attack has again prompted calls to ban the breed.
But instead of focusing on a particular breed, or responding to single events as they occur…
If health and water reform are anything to go by, COAG is in for a challenge.
The stakes are high for today’s Council of Australian Government (COAG) meeting in Canberra, as it decides how to respond to the Productivity Commission’s report into disability care and support in Australia…
A test case is slated to challenge Myriad's claim for breast cancer genetic mutations next February.
TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³/Flickr
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has found Myriad Genetics is entitled to patents on two sets human genetic mutations used to predict if women have an increased risk of breast and ovarian…
Federal governments should fund pharmaceutical research and development.
AAP
Over the last couple of decades, the pharmaceutical industry has come under attack for its perceived shortcomings amid claims that it’s greedy, profiteering nature has caused significant harm.
However…
Preventive health is the the biggest loser in the health deal.
AAP
The deal’s been done and health reform is in the bag. It may not be quite as bold as originally planned by then prime minister Rudd – there’s even been a fair amount of watering down on Julia Gillard’s…
The deal has a narrower focus than the original but still delivers $20 billion of extra funds.
Health professionals and patients alike breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced she had struck a final deal with the states to reform the nation’s hospital system…
Home help is much more effective than written instructions from a doctor.
The new Victorian Health Plan 2012-22 offers a bleak prognosis: forever rising medical costs, doctors in the wrong places, hospitals overwhelmed.
To make matters worse, it claims that patients can’t be…
In the latest change to the Federal Government’s health reforms, Health Minister Nicola Roxon has scrapped the guarantee that public patients who don’t receive their elective surgery on time will be treated…
The government has made a mistake by not listing pain drug Targin on the PBS.
J Hawk
In an attempt to contain growing health costs, the Australian Government has resisted recommendations to subsidise the pain medication Targin on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule.
Not only is this…
It is far from clear whether Philip Morris' tactic against plain packaging will succeed.
AAP
In the latest salvo in the fight over plain packaging for tobacco products, Philip Morris is launching legal action under Australia’s bilateral investment treaty with Hong Kong.
The key aspect of Philip…
Achieving equity is less about grand gestures than meeting the actual needs of Indigenous Australians.
Sorry by butupa/Flickr
The Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released its latest report on how much money the Commonwealth and State governments spend on the health of Indigenous Australians. Despite being…
More data on the effects of alcohol and energy drinks is needed to inform policy.
loop oh/Flickr
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for a ban on the sale of pre-packaged alcoholic energy drinks based on recent research, echoing a similar call for bottle shops to stop selling pre-packaged…
Means testing will not necessarily increase pressure on the public health system.
AAP
Could it be a case of third time lucky for the Gillard Government’s plan for means testing of private health insurance? Any legislation will require the support of four of the six cross-benchers. The Government…
