AMA submission on the draft pricing framework for Australian private hospital services

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) opposes the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s proposal to introduce a private national efficient price (PNEP) as the primary mechanism for pricing private hospital services, unless it is implemented under the auspices of an appropriately constituted and funded Private Health System Authority (PHSA) with the capacity to undertake the pricing work, understand the flow-on effects, and ensure reform promotes private hospital viability, clinical independence and system sustainability.