CHF urges safety net reform

THE Consumers Health Forum (CHF) has renewed its call on the government to reform the PBS safety net, “so consumers with high usage of PBS medicines have smoothed-out annual co-payments”.

The message is part of CHF’s budget submission, which also urges the government to withdraw the proposed one-off increase in co-payments and increases in PBS safety net thresholds announced in the 2014 Federal Budget.

The submission suggests “there is much Australia can do to improve our primary health care,” with the current plans to implement Health Care Homes set to require the lifting of the Medicare freeze on GP and allied health payments “if they are to have any chance of success”.

“We need more resources and clearer Federal Government plans to stimulate better integrated care and more support for consumers including those with complex chronic illness.”

Other elements of the submission include a call for a new tax on sugary drinks which would fund a campaign to combat obesity.

Top-line initiatives urge the government to move away from the current budgetary requirement for all new health expenditures to be offset by savings within the health portfolio, as well as support for a program of action to ensure health consumers participate in shaping the policy and implementation of the health reform agenda.

See chf.org.au.