Quality health care is important to us all. The system that provides this service is large and complex, and not without its faults. Over the years the money we pay for medical services has gradually increased. So how does the Australian health system work, and why has this happened?
Submitted
29/03/2006
By
atoop
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4641
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Updated
1/05/2006
What’s involved?
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There are a few small things that you can do to influence and change the Australian health system:
* Don’t clog up the public hospital system—for minor health issues, see your GP. Don't forget that GPs know _you_ better, so if you have ongoing health issues such as asthma or diabetes, your GP is the best person to see to manage the issues properly.
* Although they are hard to find, look for a GP who still does bulk billing—this will save you from paying a substantial amount.
* Lobby both federal and state governments to increase health funding. It only takes 20 minutes and 50 cents to write a letter to a health minister or your local member of parliament. Let them know that health is a major issue to you, and ask them what they are going to do about it.
*Getting more informed about the Australian health system and telling others about your concerns is another way of taking action. Here are some places to start:
_Department of Human Services_ http://www.humanservices.gov.au/
_The health department in your state/territory_: "ACT":http://www.health.act.gov.au|"NSW":http://www.health.nsw.gov.au|"NT":http://www.health.nt.gov.au|"Qld":http://www.health.qld.gov.au|"SA":http://www.health.sa.gov.au|"Tas":http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au|"Vic":http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au|"WA":http://www.health.wa.gov.au
_Australian Medical Association (AMA)_ http://www.ama.com.au
Elliot, Amanda 2002, ‘The decline in bulk billing: explanations and implications’ _Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library_,
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/CIB/2002-03/03CIB03.htm#whatisbulkbilling
Griggs, D & Atkins, C 2004, ‘The bulk billing crisis—a Victorian perspective’,
http://www.lhmu.org.au/lhmu/campaigns/medicare/files/Bulk_billing_crisis_Victoria_July04.pdf
New Doctor 2001, ‘Medicare fact sheet 1: what is Medicare?’, _New Doctor_, No. 75, http://www.drs.org.au/new_doctor/75/fact_sheet_1.html
I want to do this!
