20 February 2025
With a federal election on the horizon and the cost-of-living crisis continuing to impact households, ensuring healthcare remains accessible and affordable is more important than ever.
Across the country, we’re hearing from consumers who are struggling to find bulk-billing GPs, delaying medical care due to cost, and facing long wait times to see specialists. At the same time, consumer health organisations, many of which play a vital role in shaping policy and supporting patients, continue to operate with limited resources.
To help improve these areas of the Australian healthcare sector, CHF’s Budget submission calls for key reforms and investments in the following areas:
Reform the primary care system with improved bulk billing options and safety nets
Reform the oral healthcare system
Reform the specialist referral process
Reform and refocus the Health Peak Advisory Body program
Invest in the CHF Consumer Assembly
Invest in CHF as the coordinator of national health peak sector development
Invest in CHF to address Safety & Quality and Workforce matters
Invest in CHF as a coordinator of consumer health research
Invest in CHF and consumer education
Invest in CHF and the Coalition for Preventative Health Funding.
