Crossbench MP Dr Sophie Scamps has urged the Health Minister in Parliament to establish a private health system authority.
In a major show of support for AMA policy Independent MP Dr Sophie Scamps has urged Health Minister Mark Butler to establish a private health system authority.
In Question Time on Tuesday, Dr Scamps asked Minister Butler whether the federal government would establish an independent authority off the back of the latest disputes between hospital operator Healthscope and Bupa and the Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA).
The Health Minister made it clear the Private Health CEO Forum would discuss opportunities for long-term reform, including the possibility of a "different regulatory system".
"It will discuss some short-term options for reform of this sector very soon, as well as some long-term ideas that include the AMA idea - which they've been touting really for some time now - a different regulatory system," Minister Butler said.
We reignited discussions about an independent regulator for the private health sector last Friday after it emerged Healthscope had terminated its contracts with Bupa and funds represented by AHSA.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said this was just the latest in a long line of disputes and said it showed exactly why a private health system authority is needed. She raised this issue publicly and in a meeting with Minister Butler this week.
And Dr Scamps seemed to agree, asking Minister Butler: "Will the government support the AMA's call for a private health system authority to resolve such disputes and ensure my community is not left in the lurch and paying big bucks for their healthcare."
While patients suffer the most from disputes like these, we know doctors get caught in the middle as well, as confused patients start asking their doctors for advice on switching funds.
Our focus as a profession is on providing the best possible clinical care, not becoming de-facto financial advisers. By being a genuine vehicle for reform, a private health system authority can improve patient outcomes and allow doctors to provide the best possible care.
