AUSTRALIANS are faltering under the cost of health care with ever-increasing numbers forgoing medical care because of the associated financial drain, Catholic Health Australia survey results show.
CHA chief executive officer Francis Sullivan said CHA-commissioned Newspoll surveying attitudes towards the health system, showed nearly 50 per cent of Australians said they would be worried about the cost if they needed to seek medical treatment.
“With health costs rising by double the cost of living this past year, Australians need more cash flow assistance to meet the rising costs of care,” he said.
“Australians already contribute 20 per cent of all health spending from out of their pockets.
“This is four per cent higher than is the case in the USA.”
Mr Sullivan said even when bulk-billing rates remained high for children and concession cardholders, the rest of the community were being charged more.
Mr Sullivan said the survey indicated that average and low-income Australians were concerned about their capacity to keep pace with the cost of medical and hospital treatment.
He said the Labor Party had agreed to keep the Government’s private health insurance rebates in recognition of the cash benefits for average income families.
“Both parties must now introduce a similar cash supplement to offset the rising costs of treatment and improve the community’s sense of security about the health system,” he said.
He said CHA is proposing the introduction of a MediLink voucher of up to $1000 for people leaving hospital with an on-going chronic condition.
