The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) is calling for support for its petition to the federal government, calling for the establishment of a private health commission.
The ASO said a private health commission is required to “regulate the private health insurance and private hospital landscape to ensure the survival of Australia’s world-class egalitarian health system”.
The ASO said it has resorted to the e-petition after “months of ongoing and unresolved disputes between health insurers and the private hospital sector, including the closure of more than 70 private hospitals”.
ASO Chief Executive Officer, Kerry Gallagher AM said Healthscope – Australia’s second-largest private hospital provider – announced recently that it would terminate its hospital contracts with Bupa and the Australian Health Services Alliance.
Mr Gallagher described this as “the latest in a long line of examples that reinforces the need for intervention by a greater authority to save the private health sector”.
He said federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, has “clearly decided to ignore his responsibilities and is distancing himself, declaring private hospitals should resolve their own disputes with private health insurers”.
“There are ongoing issues in the private health sector that are not being resolved and are forcing the closure of services and redirecting unexpected costs onto patients – and it is everyday Australians who are losing out and questioning the value of private health insurance.
“In lieu of the intervention of government, and the elusive presence of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to oversight and resolve issues, it is clear the only way forward is the establishment of a private health commission,” said Mr Gallagher.
“There are many examples of the effectiveness of current commonwealth independent commissions, including their longstanding presence.
“The security of our balanced health system deserves a similar but separate independent commission – and one that has the ability to cut through the messaging and market power of health insurers.”
There are ongoing issues in the private health sector that are not being resolved and are forcing the closure of services and redirecting unexpected costs onto patients
Threat to Private Healthcare
ASO President, Dr Peter Sumich said a strong private health system is essential, not only to provide critical services and reduce pressure on the public system, but also to offer patients more choices and access to high levels of specialised care.
“Without appropriate funding, private hospitals may face significant challenges that threaten the safety and quality of care they provide.
“This situation could also lead to a threat to private healthcare generally, and then, to the collapse of the function and effectiveness of private health insurance.
“It is crucial to address the current and ongoing funding gaps, which are forcing private hospital doors to close forever.
“This can be achieved not only through public-private partnerships, government incentives, and policies that support both private health insurance and direct funding for private healthcare providers, but also through the fail-safe of an independent private health commission.”
The e-petition – EN6877 – is available on the Parliament of Australia website and is open until 25 December.
