We need creative solutions

DOCTOR shortages, growing out of pocket expenses for healthcare, lengthening wait times for surgery, unaffordable health insurance and medicine shortages were problems before Covid-19 and the pandemic has made them worse.

Whichever party wins this year’s election will have to manage a complicated array of longstanding policy problems at the same time as the evolving pandemic places continued pressure on hospitals and other parts of the health system.

GPs, nurses and paramedics are demanding higher Medicare payments and wage rises, there are calls for increased nurse to patient ratios and for the federal government to lift its share of hospital funding from 45 to 50 per cent.

Clearly there has to be a cash injection to clear massive surgery waitlists made worse by Covid surgery bans.

Overpriced health insurance must be tackled in part by ending the scam that sees Australians pay between 30-100 per cent more for medical devices like hip and knee replacements than patients in other countries.

Tax penalties to force people to buy private health insurance are no longer working as intended and rebates have shrunk and this must be addressed.

Mental health problems surged as a result of Covid and, despite increased spending, the workforce is not there to cope with the demand.

Unacceptably long wait times for access to public dental surgery is costing the health system millions.

Medicare and health fund rebates have not kept pace with medical inflation and too many Australian patients, including those with cancer, are facing eye watering out of pocket medical expenses totalling over $25,000.

No Australian should have to raid their retirement savings to pay for life saving health care.