Conflicting views on rush to Medicare Locals
A leading health body says the Federal government’s plans for Medicare Locals are hazy and incomplete, but the AGPN is calling for more of the organisations to be fast-tracked.
In a submission to a Senate inquiry (see link) into plans for the National Health Performance Authority, the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) has accused the government of staying silent on how Medicare Locals are going to operate.
It says the government is instead relying on the organisations being just like GP divisions, “a collection of programs being loosely managed rather than setting in place fundamental reform from the start.”
The AHHA says Medicare Locals run the risk of becoming ‘one-size-fits-all’ and instead need to be focussed on local population health and service planning.
It says they are underfunded and more investment is needed to ensure they have the expertise currently residing in state and territory health departments.
Meanwhile however, AGPN Chair Dr Emil Djakic insists it would be better to have 25 rather than 15 Medicare Locals in place from July, and not wait until the second wave due next year.
“If that means that the funding for Medicare Locals which was brought forward in the Budget needs to be spread more broadly across more Medicare Locals in the first year then so be it – it is far better to get these Medicare Locals started sooner,” he says.
Comments:
Yes the government is very quiet about medicare locals with good reason. Look with interest at the NZ health model and their Primary Health Organisations (PHOs). Health funding is channelled through district bodies in a very controlled fashion. Say goodbye to Medicare Rebates and say hello to Medicare Locals. It is already happening with the mental health care budget changes. Let’s ask more questions and let’s ask very LOUDLY!
Leona Edwards Practice manager | 19 May 2011
