The latest health spending data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, to be released on Wednesday, shows patients spent $3.9 billion on out-of-pocket hospital expenses in 2017-18, up $560 million or 17 per cent over the financial year, and quadruple the amount spent a decade earlier.Credit:Specialist out-of-pocket costs increased by almost $200 million in 12 months, and GP out-of-pockets by $38 million, both significantly faster than inflation.
Grattan Institute health economist Stephen Duckett said the growth in out-of-pocket costs was "a serious concern, especially at a time when household budgets are under pressure because of flat wage growth". When former Labor leader Bill Shorten took his $2.3 billion cancer package to the federal election in May, Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected the policy on the grounds that cancer treatment was "already free" in public hospitals.
Dr Duckett said the government must do more to address overcharging by specialists, saying Health Ministerwas "never going to work" as the measure was voluntary. The Health Minister has vowed to tackle rising insurance premiums by reducing hospital costs and medical device expenses, which are among the biggest expenses for insurers.
Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)
That would be right
Welcome to America.
Because the Liberals are deliberately underfunding Medicare.
Make Healthcare a not-for-profit industry.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘I just want to end it’: Young woman’s harrowing decisionSarah Nix has been left more than $30,000 out of pocket because of ongoing surgeries despite spending $5000 a year on private health insurance. It’s an ongoing issue with the private health sector. It’s something that needs to be addressed. I too was left $7000 out of pocket for surgery despite paying similar premiums. It’s beyond a joke. These health funds are rip-off merchants of doom.
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »
Staggering amount Friends stars earn from re-runsThe finale of Friends aired 15 years ago, but the show’s six stars have still pocketed an eye-watering amount every year since.
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »
Modern slavery and people smuggling form backdrop to South-East Asia-set Australian filmIn Australian filmmaker Rodd Rathjen's harrowing thriller Buoyancy, a 14-year-old Cambodian boy is kidnapped and forced into labour on a Thai fishing trawler. Was going to say that there is no slavery in Australia, but then realised who our government is
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »
Shane Warne banned from driving in UKThe former Australian cricketer admitted to breaking the speed limit in a hired Jaguar car in Kensington last year. Care factor = 0.000% Are you sure his mum didn’t do it? Warnie Just in UK?
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »
To lift or not to lift? Debate rages over design for new Bridgewater BridgeWith just 34 return boat journeys made over a year, politicians are debating whether $200 million should be spent to build a taller bridge.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »
Having a hard time? Email Abbie and she'll write you a letter to brighten your dayIn the past year, Abbie Williams has written hundreds of messages to people around the world struggling with their mental health. She should write Greta. GrowAu employ people, Abbie. People able to organize support groups from a central capital city office,to help the people. Just like to express my very sincere gratitude, you consider other folks well being with love based rescues. Gramercy Exordium Terminus interdimensional
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »