Develop a plan to fix the health inequity experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people in rural and remote communities and people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage — supporting Aboriginal community leadership, prioritising Aboriginal culture and community-driven initiatives by co-design — plus a plan for gender equity in health outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged women and girls.
Health & WellbeingGood Health
Good Health · The Democrats’ planSemi-universal on paper. Unequal in practice.
Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and subsidised private health insurance make Australian healthcare semi-universal — yet rural and remote Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with mental illness and people living in socioeconomic disadvantage still record significantly worse outcomes. Disorders of anxiety, depression, bipolar, alcohol and substance use together make up 68% of the disease burden, two in three Australians are overweight or obese, and an ageing population and a rising burden of chronic disease are pressing on providers, facilities and budgets. Sixteen commitments, one test: does the care actually reach everyone?
68% Of the disease burden Disorders of anxiety, depression, bipolar, alcohol and substance use, together — the services the plan commits to funding better.
2in 3 Australians overweight or obese The scale of the challenge the plan names when it turns to chronic disease.
3% Of the health budget, for research The commitment: bring health and medical research funding to 3% of the total health budget.
16 Commitments in the plan From a national audit of health facilities to universal dental care — each one written down.
Same country, different odds
Pick a person — compare their odds today with our plan.
The plan at a glance
Better funding for the services that treat disorders of anxiety, depression, bipolar, alcohol and substance use, and better funding for non-emergency surgery in public hospitals so wait times are reasonable.
Address medical workforce shortages, especially GPs and doctors in rural areas, increase rebates for longer consultations, and invest in more digital and telehealth services with better support infrastructure.
Prepare for the now-inevitable health consequences of global warming — heat exhaustion, vector-borne disease, burns, respiratory illness and trauma from extreme weather events — and, for emerging health challenges more broadly, a health and emergency services workforce review, a national audit of health facilities and resources, and a centralised Centre for Infectious Disease in the NHMRC.
Invest in public health interventions to reduce chronic diseases caused by smoking, poor nutrition, low levels of physical activity and obesity, make the health star rating mandatory for all foods, and develop a prevention plan for injury in sport alongside a wider set of physical activities for all age groups.
Who does the system reach?
Semi-universal already. The question is who it actually reaches.
Today
- Health outcomes that track your postcode, your income and whether you’re Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Mental health services in need of better funding
- Non-emergency surgery waits in public hospitals
- GP and doctor shortages worst in rural and remote areas
Our plan
- A plan to fix that inequity, with Aboriginal community leadership and co-design
- Better funded services for anxiety, depression, bipolar, alcohol and substance use
- Non-emergency surgery funded so wait times are reasonable
- Workforce shortages addressed, with higher rebates for longer consultations
The one to start with
Your teeth sitting outside universal health care
Universal preventative dental care, moving incrementally to universal dental health services
Extend the dental health programs for pensioners and children, start with universal preventative dental care, then move incrementally towards universal dental health services — the plan’s own sequence, in that order.
The full policy
Word for word — the platform as our members wrote it.
The Issues
Despite Australia’s semi-universal public health care system funded through Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and through subsidised private health insurance, there remains significant inequity in both access to, and provision of high-quality health care, evidenced by significant discrepancies in the health outcomes for Australians living in rural and remote locations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with mental illness and people living in socioeconomic disadvantage.
Australia faces additional challenges to its health care system. An ageing population and an increasing burden of chronic disease is placing pressure on physical and financial resources, including health care providers and care facilities.
Our Plan
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Prepare for the now-inevitable health consequences of global warming: heatwave-induced dehydration, heat exhaustion, vector-borne disease, burns, respiratory illness, and trauma related to extreme weather events, loss of homes and livelihoods.
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A health and emergency services workforce review to ensure Australia is capable of addressing emerging health challenges.
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A national audit of health facilities and resources to meet emerging health challenges.
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A centralised Centre for Infectious Disease, in the NHMRC with responsibility for research and health response planning.
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Develop a plan to fix the health inequity experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, those living in rural and remote communities, and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
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Better fund non-emergency surgery in public hospitals so wait times are reasonable.
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Better fund mental health services for disorders of anxiety, depression, bipolar, alcohol and substance use which together make up 68% of the disease burden.
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Develop a plan for gender equity in health outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged women and girls who experience chronic health conditions or male partner violence.
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Develop a prevention plan for injury in sport and encourage a wider set of physical activities for all age groups.
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Support and promote Aboriginal community leadership, prioritise Aboriginal culture, and community-driven initiatives by co-design, to improve health outcomes.
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Invest in public health interventions to reduce chronic diseases caused by smoking, poor nutrition, low levels of physical activity, and obesity. Two in three Australians are overweight or obese.
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Reform the health star rating system so it is mandatory for all foods, encouraging healthier food choices.
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Invest in more digital and telehealth services with better support infrastructure.
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Extend the dental health programs for pensioners and children, starting with universal preventative dental care and incrementally moving towards universal dental health services.
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Bring health and medical research funding to 3% of the total health budget.
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Address medical workforce shortages, especially GPs and doctors in rural areas and increase rebates for longer consultations to improve quality of care.
The Evidence
A high-quality and comprehensive healthcare system that meets the diverse and complex needs of an entire population is essential for the maintenance and growth of a country’s overall prosperity. Quality health care is evidence-based, provided to those who will benefit, safe and patient-centred. An effective and efficient healthcare system recognises and respects that while healthcare is a universal right, access to healthcare must be equitable.
References
- Sources and further reading available on request.
Make it happen.
Policies like this only become law when enough people push. Push with us.