The campaign to establish a private health commission – to overcome what has been described as a “creep” towards a United States-style of managed health care – has reached its next milestone.
An Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) e-petition requesting the establishment of either a private health commission or an independent private health authority to “restore balance to the divided and failing sector” has received enough support to be forwarded to Health Minister, the Hon Mark Butler.
Newly appointed ASO Chief Executive Officer, Katrina Ronne, said the survey attracted 268 signatures and met the e-petition requirements to be referred to a Minister for response. The Health Minister is required to respond within 90 days.
“With an election looming, we are eagerly awaiting his response, which we hope outlines sound reasoning for or against the establishment of a private health commission or independent authority,” Ms Ronne said.
“To date, similar requests have been referred to the Private Health CEO Forum, but without indication of strong support from the Minister for Health.
“We are asking Minister Butler to step up and show leadership and fortitude to find solutions for all Australians, as opposed to sitting on the sidelines and simply watching on or deferring to the Government’s closed Private Health CEO Forum.”
… look to the US to see what the future could be, should a creep towards managed care continue.
Stopping the Transition to a US-Style System
ASO President, Dr Peter Sumich, said the ASO was among many health bodies voicing concerns for the failing private health sector and the reach of the private health insurance industry to gain more control over patient decision making and costs.
He described the private hospital landscape as being “at the beginning of an inevitable transition to US-style managed care, where the private health insurance industry stands to reap profits and overrule clinical and patient decision making against the recommendations of clinicians and the requests of patients”.
“We need balance and regulation, which a private health commission or independent authority can provide, to ensure fair and reasonable distribution of power,” Dr Sumich said.
The ASO said one only needs to look to the US to see what the future could be, should a creep towards managed care continue.
“We hear reports out of the US that health insurers are blamed for numerous deaths each year, as a result of rejecting procedures and treatments they deem ‘not medically necessary’,” said Dr Sumich. “This is not a future we want for Australians.”
Ms Ronne urged ophthalmologists and broader members of the community to make their concerns heard this election, by supporting the calls to action being made by the ASO, the Australian Medical Association, and other health industry bodies.
Further information about the role of a private health commission or independent authority is available on the ASO website.
