TOO POOR TO FIX HEALTH
Toowoomba residents can’t afford insurance
ALMOST half of Toowoomba residents cannot afford health insurance, new data has revealed.
The data, released by the Australian Institute of Health and Wellness, found tens of thousands of locals were also unable to pay for the basics including dental, scripts and doctor visits.
Private Healthcare Australia CEO Dr Rachel David said a lack of private medical providers in regional areas and the cost of insurance were behind the low take-up of health insurance.
“Most people take out health insurance because they want access to surgery on time, access to mental health services and to subsidised dental care,” she said.
“Wages haven’t really risen since 2009 but health inflation – that is the cost of meeting claims or services – has been rising about 5–6 per cent a year.”
The Australian Medical Association’s Dr Sandra Hirowatari said health poverty was widespread.
POVERTY is pushing Toowoomba residents further away from healthcare, with tens of thousands of locals unable to pay for the basics including dental, scripts and doctor visits.
Special NewsRegional analysis of federal health data shows 34,880 – 26.7 per cent – of local adults were unable to pay for basic dental treatment in the 2016-17 financial year.
The research also shows about 12,802 – 9.8 per cent – of locals could not afford to have their medical prescriptions filled during the 12 months.
About 4.2 per cent of Toowoomba residents reported not seeing a GP because of cost. The average out-of-pocket expense was $9–$35.
The Australian Medical Association’s Dr Sandra Hirowatari said health poverty was widespread.
“For example, one of my diabetic patients purchased both the medication and the needed glucose monitoring machine,” the chair of the AMA council’s regional and rural doctors committee said.
“But for her to follow my prescribed treatment, she had to go hungry (to pay for the medicine and machine).”
Australian Dental Association president Dr Hugo Sachs said the situation was compounded by the often lengthy wait to access governmentfunded dentistry clinics.
Dr Sachs said lifelong impacts could flow from not having routine oral care – including the possibility of certain cancers.
“There is an opportunity here for governments to reduce waiting lists by increasing funding,” Dr Sachs said.
“Going without dental care can lead to significant problems for the patient and this will increase the cost on the health system.”
Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Greg Turnbull said he was not surprised people were unable to pay for scripts.
“It is something that should concern health policymakers,” the PGA communications director said.
Queensland Council of Social Services CEO Mark Henley said medical poverty was not being adequately addressed by governments.
“There is absolutely no doubt that there needs to be greater investment in health services, particularly in regional areas,” Mr Henley said.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s spokesman said an expert committee was examining
medical costs and the government’s plan to encourage more trainee doctors to move to regional areas would help in the long run.