Health fund numbers have fallen again to their lowest level in 12 years, making more important than ever the need for a more consumer-focused approach, the Consumers Health Forum said today. “The continued decline in the number of Australians taking up private cover comes despite the introduction...

The new Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights released today gives welcome recognition to the evolving place of the patient as partner in decisions about their care. The My healthcare rights charter has been produced by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and promotes...

A new report which finds Australia’s health system is “increasingly unfair, costly and confusing”, must spur the Federal Government to establish a wide-ranging inquiry into private health insurance and its role in the funding and delivery of healthcare, the Consumers Health Forum says. The report...

A report that health insurance funds have failed to meet regulated requirements concerning their coverage obligations is disturbing and warrants a review by the Government into the handling of pre-existing condition disputes, the Consumers Health Forum said today. Three health funds are reported in...

A new report shows that Australia still has some way to go to ensure our healthcare is accessible and works effectively for all Australians, the Consumers Health Forum said today. The findings of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on patient experiences of information sharing...

The Consumers Health Forum is withdrawing the media statement issued yesterday which was responding to a Grattan Institute report on private health insurance. The Institute is revising that report and CHF will respond when the final report is issued.

The Consumers Health Forum welcomes the report that the Chief Medical Officer is to investigate excessive medical fees as an important step to promote access to necessary healthcare for all Australians. “As our Out of Pocket Pain survey last year found, many Australians with or without insurance...

The Consumers Health Forum welcomes the new Shadow Health Minister, Chris Bowen, and thanks Catherine King for her commitment to consumers during her long service in the shadow health portfolio. “Mr Bowen brings an impressive record to his new portfolio and we look forward to working with him,” the...

A new push to encourage Australians to be more proactive in the management of their own healthcare is underway with the launch of a new resource by the NPS MedicineWise Choosing Wisely Australia initiative and the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF). The Conversation Starter Kit , being...

The Consumers Health Forum, Australia’s leading health consumer advocacy body, congratulates the Coalition on its re-election and Greg Hunt on his re-appointment as Health Minister. “The Government in its last term made encouraging steps towards improving the health system including in primary care...