News
Concerns over future role of PHNs
There are growing concerns the Federal Government wants to sideline GPs and divert Medicare funding to Primary Health Networks to purchase and ration health services.
Following an announcement by the Health Minister that funds would be directed to PHNs to provide tailored care packages for mental health patients, the AMA has warned of the risk that under these arrangements PHNs could end up dictating the care patients receive, disrupting GP services and undermining health outcomes.
Read the full story in Australian Medicine.
Also in this week’s issue of Australian Medicine:
- Concerns are raised about the Federal Government using the MBS review to rip more money out of health, with Health Minister Sussan Ley admitting that only around half of the money saved by cuts to MBS items will be re-invested in new procedures and services. Read the full story.
- The AMA has called for a major improvement in conditions for International Medical Graduates amid concerns that many are being sent to work in difficult clinical settings with often limited support and supervision. Read more.
- Women face being charged to get their pap smear results under Federal Government plans to axe bulk billing incentives for pathology services. Read more.
- Concession card holders could end up paying more for Panadol Osteo after the Government announced it would no longer be subsidised by the PBS. Read more.
