Media releases

The Medicare Review interim report underlines the need for reform of Medicare and for there to be strong input from consumers as well as health professionals, the Consumer Health Forum says. “This review is the most important, wide-ranging examination of Medicare since its establishment 32 years...

The identification of thousands of doctors receiving payments from pharmaceutical companies is a landmark advance towards transparency in health care, the Consumers Health Forum says. “The voluntary disclosure of the names of doctors and others who have received significant payments for talking...

The new National Cancer Register will boost the detection and timely treatment of bowel and cervical cancers, significantly reducing the number of deaths from these diseases, the Consumers Health Forum says. “We welcome the national legislation which, by centralising information from all of the...

An international award for an Australian pharmacy initiative providing tailored consumer health care is welcome recognition of moves towards patient-centred health services, the Consumers Health Forum says. “We congratulate the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia on this honour awarded for their...

The Turnbull Government’s aim to strengthen Medicare through the Health Care Homes model is good news but will need strong clinical leadership and patient confidence and engagement in design and delivery if it is to attract patient support.

Health fund profits have jumped by a lucrative 8.9 per cent yet the latest statistics show that members are on average getting less back from each dollar in premiums they pay. While premium revenues rose by 6.4 per cent in the year to June, the payouts members got back in benefits rose by just 5.3 per cent, according to figures released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

The release of de-identified health data offers great potential to advance research showing how Australia can deliver better health care more cost effectively, the Consumers Health Forum says.

Health and consumer leaders have released a blueprint for 21st Century Medicare aimed at giving patients greater say in a team-based health care system.

The expansion of the Whitecoat health care directory signals further progress towards a more consumer-friendly health system, the Consumers Health Forum says.

The Consumers Health Forum welcomes the discussion paper on the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation and the emphasis it places on identifying consumer needs.