About Policy Submissions

We regularly make submissions to national level inquiries. If you are after a submission from earlier than listed here, please contact us.

Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Value and Affordability of Private Health Insurance and Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs

31 July 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

Australian consumers find that Private Health Insurance (PHI) is increasingly unaffordable, confusing and are unsure about the value that it provides. Despite considerable government investment in the PHI industry, there is yet to be conclusive evidence that this investment is providing sufficient returns. We are concerned that government outlays in this area continues to increase, not decrease, despite this question of value not having been well established.

Because of this, reforms to PHI must centre around two key questions – how can PHI provide better value for the taxpayer, and how can it provide better value to consumers? Our submission explores the terms of reference and the key issues for consumers in light of these questions.Read more

Submission to MBS Review Taskforce - Urgent after-hours Primary Care services

26 July 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

The Taskforce’s report acknowledges that after-hours GP services are essential services and highly valued by consumers. While there has been an increase in the number of urgent after-hours services provided under the MBS, CHF notes that this increase on its own does not mean that these services were unjustified. Other factors, such as better access to and availability of after-hours services, could explain the increase. Moreover, an increase is not of itself surprising given the Government’s policy initiatives in recent decades to increase access to better organised after-hours services. Without these services many people, including parents and young families, the elderly including residents in aged care facilities, carers and people with terminal or chronic conditions, have faced great difficulty in getting the care they need.Read more

Submission to the Review of Pharmacy of Remuneration and Regulation - Interim Report

24 July 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

The Interim Report correctly identifies the challenges of the current approach and makes a strong case for the need to change. This is not to say that the current system fails consumers or that it is a system in disarray, Indeed we know from the many surveys done by the Pharmacy Guild and others...Read more

Submission to Senate Inquiry into the Number of Women in Australia who have had Transvaginal Mesh Implants and Related Matters

15 June 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

It is becoming increasingly clear that there has been a major failure of the health system with regard to the use of transvaginal mesh to treat women. Many women have been left with permanent injuries and disabilities as a result of this device being implanted. 

We welcome this Senate...Read more

Submission to ACSQHC on Resources to Support the National Safety and Quality in Health Service Standards (2nd ed)

18 May 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

CHF is pleased to provide the following comments on the four initial resources released by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) to support the National Safety and Quality in Health Service Standards (second edition). We have focused on whether the resources...Read more

Submission to ACCC Report to the Senate on Private Health Insurance

30 March 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

CHF has consistently called for improved information provision to consumers as way of ensuring they understand their private health insurance policies and can make informed decisions. We regard the ACCC’s continued interest in this issue and the fact that the last two reports have been focused...Read more

Submission to Senate Inquiry into Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016

15 March 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

We welcome this legislation coming forward as we believe many of the reforms covered by the review are overdue. This Bill set the groundwork for us to modernise the way we regulate medicines and medical devices and ensure that consumers can have the confidence to use them.

Whilst we do...Read more

Submission to the draft Australian code for the responsible conduct of research

24 February 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the revised draft of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research as part of our ongoing relationship with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). CHF is concerned about the lack of direct reference to consumers being involved in research.Read more

Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Price Regulation associated with the Prostheses List Framework

14 February 2017 — Submission

Private Health Insurance and the unaffordability of premiums is one of the most frequently raised issues with CHF by consumers. We welcomed the announcement in October 2016 of reductions of the price of some items on the prostheses list. If these cuts lead to a lower level of premium increase in...Read more

Submission to the Digital Health Agency Discussion Paper

31 January 2017 — Submission
Consumers Health Forum

This is a brief initial submission in response to the discussion paper released by the Agency in November 2016. We look forward to working with the Agency to involve consumers more and to progress and resolve the issues raised in this submission and by other consumers through the consultation...Read more

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