Issues in Australian Issues in Australian Health CareHealth CareUnit 2, Outcome 3Unit 2, Outcome 3

Health Care in AustraliaHealth Care in Australia Read through worksheet togetherRead through worksheet together Complete the mix and match the wordsComplete the mix and match the words Read through Funding the health care Read through Funding the health care

system (highlighting key information)system (highlighting key information)

paste this worksheet into folderpaste this worksheet into folder

Quick Quiz from Reading.. Quick Quiz from Reading.. Put sheets away Put sheets away 1)1) What is the role of the Commonwealth Government in What is the role of the Commonwealth Government in

health care? health care?

2)2) What is main responsibility of the State or Territory What is main responsibility of the State or Territory Government?Government?

3)3) What do Local Governments look after?What do Local Governments look after?

4) Name 3 services that Individual and Non-Government 4) Name 3 services that Individual and Non-Government organisations provide service for?organisations provide service for?

AnswersAnswers1)1) Formations of national policiesFormations of national policies

Fund Health programs for war vets and familiesFund Health programs for war vets and familiesMedicareMedicare

2)2) Planning and delivery of health servicesPlanning and delivery of health services Ensure adequate health services are available to the population Ensure adequate health services are available to the population Eg. Public hospitals, community health centresEg. Public hospitals, community health centres Also administering the registration of health professionals such as Also administering the registration of health professionals such as

doctors, dentistsdoctors, dentists

3)3) Controlling the spread of disease – immunisation programs, Controlling the spread of disease – immunisation programs, collection of rubbish, sewage, clean conditions in public areas, collection of rubbish, sewage, clean conditions in public areas, preparation areas in restuarants etcpreparation areas in restuarants etc

4)4) Dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic, private hospitals, some Dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic, private hospitals, some nursing homesnursing homesOthers like – Cancer Council, National Heart Foundation, Others like – Cancer Council, National Heart Foundation, Australia Red CrossAustralia Red Cross

Role of Government and Role of Government and non-government organisationsnon-government organisations

In Australia, all 3 levels of government play an important In Australia, all 3 levels of government play an important role in providing health care.role in providing health care.

GovernmentGovernment1) Commonwealth Government is responsible for1) Commonwealth Government is responsible for- Management of MedicareManagement of Medicare- Development and regulation of health policy and Development and regulation of health policy and

legislationlegislation- Control of pharmaceuticalsControl of pharmaceuticals- Establishing and maintaining food regulations through Establishing and maintaining food regulations through

food standards Australiafood standards Australia

2) The State Government2) The State Government, provide guidance and , provide guidance and

direction to local authorities. They also provide a direction to local authorities. They also provide a wide range of health services and health care wide range of health services and health care programsprograms

- Services in the areas of children, adolescents Services in the areas of children, adolescents and familyand family

- Pre and post natal healthPre and post natal health- School healthSchool health- Mental healthMental health- Dental healthDental health- RehabilitationRehabilitation- Preventative and early detection programs ie. Preventative and early detection programs ie.

Breast screen programBreast screen program

3) Local Government3) Local Government have a responsibility have a responsibility to provide a healthy and safe environment to provide a healthy and safe environment for the communityfor the community

Non Government SectorNon Government SectorProvides many health services, including those Provides many health services, including those

provided by the private hospitals, dentists, provided by the private hospitals, dentists, private medical practitioners, other health care private medical practitioners, other health care professionals such as physiotherapists, professionals such as physiotherapists, pharmacies and diagnostic laboratories pharmacies and diagnostic laboratories (pathology) (pathology)

Non Government Agencies such as the Cancer Non Government Agencies such as the Cancer Council play an important role in health careCouncil play an important role in health care

- They fund research, education and counselling, - They fund research, education and counselling, support legislation and develop and implement support legislation and develop and implement health promotion campaigns. health promotion campaigns.

FundingFunding The money required to fund the health care The money required to fund the health care

system comes from 3 major sourcessystem comes from 3 major sources

1)1) Compulsory Medicare Levy that is paid by Compulsory Medicare Levy that is paid by taxpayers to the commonwealth government. taxpayers to the commonwealth government. This levy is 1.5% of an individual’s taxable This levy is 1.5% of an individual’s taxable income.income.In 2000, the amount collected totalled In 2000, the amount collected totalled $4.35billion. This is insufficient to meet health $4.35billion. This is insufficient to meet health care costs.care costs.

2)2) Taxes such as GST (Goods and Service Taxes such as GST (Goods and Service Tax), income tax and a range of other Tax), income tax and a range of other taxes that are paid to each level of taxes that are paid to each level of government.government.

3)3) Payment made by individuals for health Payment made by individuals for health care expenses such as private health care expenses such as private health insurance, dental treatment, ambulance, insurance, dental treatment, ambulance, physiotherapy, chiropractic.physiotherapy, chiropractic.

Estimated CostEstimated Cost

It is estimated that in 2003-04, It is estimated that in 2003-04, $78 598 million was spent of health care in $78 598 million was spent of health care in Australia – an average of $3930 per Australia – an average of $3930 per person.person.

Health Care in AustraliaHealth Care in Australia

Often a patient’s first contact with the health Often a patient’s first contact with the health system is through a general practitioner (GP) of system is through a general practitioner (GP) of their choice and the service is often available for their choice and the service is often available for little or no cost by Medicare.little or no cost by Medicare.

For further care, a GP may refer a patient to a For further care, a GP may refer a patient to a specialist, allied health professional, hospital or specialist, allied health professional, hospital or community based healthcare organisations.community based healthcare organisations.

Funding for allied health services will depend on Funding for allied health services will depend on where and how the patient is treated.where and how the patient is treated.

Many Australians also seek care from Many Australians also seek care from Private Sector Health Professionals whose Private Sector Health Professionals whose services are not covered by Medicare – services are not covered by Medicare – eg. Denists, physiotherapistseg. Denists, physiotherapists

Charges for these treatments can be either Charges for these treatments can be either met by or partly by private health met by or partly by private health insurance or paid in full by the patient.insurance or paid in full by the patient.

Biomedical vs Preventative Biomedical vs Preventative HealthcareHealthcare

The Australian healthcare system relies on a mix of both The Australian healthcare system relies on a mix of both biomedical and preventative health care in order to meet biomedical and preventative health care in order to meet the needs of a wide range of people and illnesses.the needs of a wide range of people and illnesses.

Biomedical HealthcareBiomedical HealthcareFocuses on the medical profession and aims to treat Focuses on the medical profession and aims to treat

physical and or biological disease or illness.physical and or biological disease or illness.Eg. Diagnosis (identifying illness through the use of tests)Eg. Diagnosis (identifying illness through the use of tests)

Intervention (medical treatment to cure, control or treat Intervention (medical treatment to cure, control or treat illness)illness)- examples include blood tests, x-rays, medications and - examples include blood tests, x-rays, medications and surgery.surgery.

Preventative Health Care – 3 levelsPreventative Health Care – 3 levels

• Primary PreventionPrimary Prevention- To prevent the onset of illness, injury & or disease.- To prevent the onset of illness, injury & or disease.Through education and awareness campaignsThrough education and awareness campaigns

• Secondary PreventionSecondary Prevention- To detect and treat illness at the earliest time possible.- To detect and treat illness at the earliest time possible.Often direction is before disease is fully developedOften direction is before disease is fully developedeg. Mammogramseg. Mammograms

• Tertiary PreventionTertiary Prevention- To provide treatment, rehabilitation and support for people who - To provide treatment, rehabilitation and support for people who already suffer from a disease & illnessalready suffer from a disease & illness

What is Medicare?What is Medicare?Medicare is a very important part of Australia’s Medicare is a very important part of Australia’s

health care system. It was introduced in 1984. health care system. It was introduced in 1984. Before this time, almost 2 million Australians Before this time, almost 2 million Australians were not covered by health insurance. This were not covered by health insurance. This meant that many people who could not afford to meant that many people who could not afford to pay for medical care either remained ill or had to pay for medical care either remained ill or had to try to raise money in some way. This meant that try to raise money in some way. This meant that “wealthy” people tended to be healthy while “wealthy” people tended to be healthy while “poorer” people suffered from poor health. “poorer” people suffered from poor health. Medicare is the responsibility of the Medicare is the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government and is Commonwealth Government and is administered by the Health Insurance administered by the Health Insurance Commission.Commission.

Under Medicare, all Australian residents are Under Medicare, all Australian residents are able to receive free treatment in any public able to receive free treatment in any public hospital regardless of their age, how much hospital regardless of their age, how much money they have or how sick they might money they have or how sick they might be. It also provides cheaper prescription be. It also provides cheaper prescription medicine to people who need it. Medicare medicine to people who need it. Medicare also enables people to receive free or also enables people to receive free or cheaper treatment for medical services.cheaper treatment for medical services.

The system allows for disadvantaged groups to be given The system allows for disadvantaged groups to be given

health care cards which makes the cost more affordable. health care cards which makes the cost more affordable. A schedule of fees has been developed for all medical A schedule of fees has been developed for all medical services and Medicare will refund or pay for 85% of the services and Medicare will refund or pay for 85% of the cost of visiting a doctor, specialist or optometrist. cost of visiting a doctor, specialist or optometrist. However, medical practitioners are not required to However, medical practitioners are not required to charge patients the scheduled fee so sometimes patients charge patients the scheduled fee so sometimes patients must pay the 15% gap and any additional charges above must pay the 15% gap and any additional charges above the scheduled fee or service.the scheduled fee or service.

In 2000-2001, Medicare provided benefits (helped meet the In 2000-2001, Medicare provided benefits (helped meet the cost of) 213.9 million services.cost of) 213.9 million services.

The Objectives of Medicare…The Objectives of Medicare…

To make health care affordable for all To make health care affordable for all AustralianAustralian

To give all Australians access to health To give all Australians access to health care services with priority according to care services with priority according to clinical needclinical need

To provide a high quality of careTo provide a high quality of care

What is MedicareWhat is Medicare

* Read through information sheets* Read through information sheetsWhat does Medicare cover? What’s not What does Medicare cover? What’s not covered by Medicare?covered by Medicare?

- Paste this worksheet into your workbook.- Paste this worksheet into your workbook.

What is Medicare WorksheetWhat is Medicare Worksheet Read the information sheet and question Read the information sheet and question

the attached questions.the attached questions.

- Read the questions first so that you can Read the questions first so that you can highlight key information as you gohighlight key information as you go

Paste these worksheets into your workbookPaste these worksheets into your workbook

Private Health InsurancePrivate Health InsuranceWhile all Australians can have access to free While all Australians can have access to free

treatment in a public hospital, many people treatment in a public hospital, many people choose to purchase private health insurance so choose to purchase private health insurance so they can be treated by the doctor of their choice, they can be treated by the doctor of their choice, avoid long waiting lists and have health services avoid long waiting lists and have health services not covered by Medicare. If you purchase not covered by Medicare. If you purchase private health insurance you are covered private health insurance you are covered financially against some or all of the costs of financially against some or all of the costs of being a private patient in either a public or being a private patient in either a public or private hospital. There are many private health private hospital. There are many private health insurance policies to choose from. insurance policies to choose from.

There are 4 categories of private health insurance There are 4 categories of private health insurance membership – singles, couples without children, membership – singles, couples without children, sole parents and couples with children. The sole parents and couples with children. The funds are able to provide a level of insurance funds are able to provide a level of insurance that meets the needs of different groups of that meets the needs of different groups of purchases. You can purchasepurchases. You can purchase

• Hospital cover onlyHospital cover only• Extras coverExtras cover

Hospital CoverHospital Cover

Provides benefits for in-hospital treatment Provides benefits for in-hospital treatment and accommodation for private patients.and accommodation for private patients.

As a private patient you can generally be As a private patient you can generally be treated by whom, where and when you treated by whom, where and when you want. want.

Extra coverExtra cover

Entitles the patient benefits for services not Entitles the patient benefits for services not provided by Medicare such as glasses and provided by Medicare such as glasses and contact lenses, dental, ambulance and contact lenses, dental, ambulance and chiropractor.chiropractor.

Other Options for Private Health Other Options for Private Health CoverCover

* There are a range of different private * There are a range of different private health companies which offer different health companies which offer different options for coverage. options for coverage.

Before taking insurance think carefully about Before taking insurance think carefully about your needs and what best suits you.your needs and what best suits you.

The role of the Federal Government The role of the Federal Government in Private Health Insurancein Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance is regulated by the Private health insurance is regulated by the Commonwealth government and there have Commonwealth government and there have been a range of incentives introduced to been a range of incentives introduced to encourage people to purchase private health encourage people to purchase private health insurance. insurance.

- In 2000, life time health cover was introduced.- In 2000, life time health cover was introduced.From July 2000, people who joined a health fund From July 2000, people who joined a health fund before their 30before their 30thth B’day and maintained their B’day and maintained their cover would pay lower costs for their premiums cover would pay lower costs for their premiums compared with someone who joined later in life.compared with someone who joined later in life.

Those taking out private health insurance >30 would Those taking out private health insurance >30 would

pay an additional 2% premium for each year over pay an additional 2% premium for each year over 30. 30.

- The government also provides a rebate (refund) of The government also provides a rebate (refund) of 30% of the cost of the premiums for private health 30% of the cost of the premiums for private health insuranceinsurance

- High income earners also have to pay an High income earners also have to pay an additional 1% Medicare levy. additional 1% Medicare levy.

* These incentives have helped to increase the * These incentives have helped to increase the number of Australians who have purchased private number of Australians who have purchased private health insurance.health insurance.

Private Health Insurance HandoutPrivate Health Insurance Handout

Read through handout (highlighting as you Read through handout (highlighting as you go)go)

Paste into workbooksPaste into workbooks

Holiday Homework…Holiday Homework…This is essential for your upcoming This is essential for your upcoming

SAC!!!SAC!!! Read throughRead through

““In focus” – Complementary and Alternative Health In focus” – Complementary and Alternative Health Services, pages 370-375Services, pages 370-375 Define Complementary HealthDefine Complementary Health

Alternative Health Care ServicesAlternative Health Care Services Briefly describe the following alternative therapyBriefly describe the following alternative therapy

Bowen Theray, Herbal Medicine, Kinesiology, MassageBowen Theray, Herbal Medicine, Kinesiology, Massage Meditation, Naturopathy, Reflexology, Reiki, Traditional Chinese Meditation, Naturopathy, Reflexology, Reiki, Traditional Chinese

MedicineMedicine

Complete Activity 13.5 – Research Task page 376Complete Activity 13.5 – Research Task page 376Work individually, provide a A4 information sheet or brochureWork individually, provide a A4 information sheet or brochure

Private Health Insurance Private Health Insurance InvestigationInvestigation

Read through handout and complete Read through handout and complete activity.activity.

Exploring issues in Health CareExploring issues in Health Care

Issues such as:Issues such as:- Medical technologyMedical technology- Human rights and ethicsHuman rights and ethics- Environmental healthEnvironmental health- Rural and remote areasRural and remote areas- Ageing populationsAgeing populations

Medical TechnologyMedical Technology Gene technologyGene technology

Genetic TestingGenetic TestingPre-implantation genetic diagnosis and prenatal diagnosisPre-implantation genetic diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis

Gene TherapyGene TherapyUsed to assist in the development Used to assist in the development of new treatments for diseaseof new treatments for disease

TherapeuticsTherapeuticsused to help develop new used to help develop new drugs that are able to target drugs that are able to target disease-causing genesdisease-causing genes

CloningCloningIncluding both stem cell and Including both stem cell and reproductive cloningreproductive cloning

Genetics TestingGenetics Testing Involved the analysis of DNA and is used Involved the analysis of DNA and is used

to determine genetic make-up and to determine genetic make-up and susceptibility to inherited illnesssusceptibility to inherited illness

- Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis requires - Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis requires parents to use IVF to generate their parents to use IVF to generate their embryo. The embryo is then tested for the embryo. The embryo is then tested for the disease and doctors will only transfer disease and doctors will only transfer unaffected embryos into the mother.unaffected embryos into the mother.

Human Rights and EthicsHuman Rights and EthicsHuman rights include:Human rights include:- The right to freedom regardless of race, colour, The right to freedom regardless of race, colour,

sex, religion or social originsex, religion or social origin- The right to lifeThe right to life- The right to an adequate standard of livingThe right to an adequate standard of living- The right to educationThe right to education- The right to equal pay for equal workThe right to equal pay for equal work

It is important to consider all human rights in the It is important to consider all human rights in the provision of health care provision of health care

EthicsEthics- When considering issues, one needs to draw When considering issues, one needs to draw

upon their morals (their beliefs of what is right upon their morals (their beliefs of what is right and wrong) and consider who will be affected as and wrong) and consider who will be affected as well as how they will be affected (risks versus well as how they will be affected (risks versus advantages)advantages)

- Within Australia society people have differing Within Australia society people have differing views on many issues especially genetic testing.views on many issues especially genetic testing.

Genetics and Ethics Genetics and Ethics Basic principles of medical ethicsBasic principles of medical ethics

A duty to do more good than harmA duty to do more good than harm The duty not to cause harmThe duty not to cause harm Respect for an individuals rights including Respect for an individuals rights including

privacyprivacy Fair equitable and appropriate treatment to Fair equitable and appropriate treatment to

allall

Environmental healthEnvironmental health

Some risks to environmental health include:Some risks to environmental health include:- Housing conditions, sanitation, drinking - Housing conditions, sanitation, drinking

water quality, food safety and disease water quality, food safety and disease controlcontrol

- Climate change and increasing pressure - Climate change and increasing pressure on water supplieson water supplies

Rural and remote areas - servicesRural and remote areas - services

It is difficult to recruit and retaining trained health professionals It is difficult to recruit and retaining trained health professionals to work in regional and remote areas.to work in regional and remote areas.

Why do you think so??Why do you think so??

Obstacles for the population in assessing the services in these Obstacles for the population in assessing the services in these areas areas

cost, location, lack of services, transport, knowledge, time and cost, location, lack of services, transport, knowledge, time and number of available health workers per population in country number of available health workers per population in country areasareas

Ageing PopulationAgeing Population

Australians are living longer and healthier Australians are living longer and healthier lives and as a result there are greater lives and as a result there are greater numbers of older Australian aged 70 numbers of older Australian aged 70 years +years +Providing adequate and appropriate care Providing adequate and appropriate care and housing for the ageing population has and housing for the ageing population has become a significant health issue in become a significant health issue in Australia.Australia.

Worksheets and Discussion TopicsWorksheets and Discussion Topics

When Size Matters (44-45)When Size Matters (44-45)

Call for smokers to wait for surgery (46)Call for smokers to wait for surgery (46)

* * Same sex couples – IVF Same sex couples – IVF

Your task is read through the worksheets and in pairs Your task is read through the worksheets and in pairs

write a response to the both articles and the statement write a response to the both articles and the statement (250-500 words). Think of the positives and negatives. (250-500 words). Think of the positives and negatives. Think of ethics and values. Think of the impact it has on Think of ethics and values. Think of the impact it has on PIES.PIES.

Article 1 – When Size Matters?Article 1 – When Size Matters? Article 2 – Call for smokers to wait for surgeryArticle 2 – Call for smokers to wait for surgery Statement – “Homosexual couples, whether male or Statement – “Homosexual couples, whether male or

female, are within their rights to form a family with female, are within their rights to form a family with childrenchildren