Doctors pushing for an overhaul of how Medicare funds GP visits are calling for a new model in which Australians enrol with one practice and get block funding for their ongoing care.
The Age
The AMA wants the government to increase total spending on GP services from 8 per cent to 10 per cent of total health spending, arguing this can help doctors prevent avoidable hospital admissions - which cost the taxpayer more money. “The inescapable facts are that Australia’s population is growing, people are living longer, and the incidence of chronic and complex health conditions is expanding significantly. Keeping people healthy and active will require funding – significant new funding."It comes after official Health Department data provided to the Senate in response to questions taken on notice
The Public Health Association of Australia will use its pre-budget submission to call for a greater focus on chronic disease, citing Productivity Commission data showing that Australians spend about 13 per cent of their lives in ill health.
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