The budget holds two particularly promising developments for health, says Robert Wells, Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy at the ANU. Firstly, the mental health announcements suggest some realisation of the long-stated ambition for whole-of-government policies in health. And the emphasis on Medicare Locals in these announcements is also good news, he says. [...]

As the previous post records, the Public Health Association of Australia has called on the Federal Government to include broader representation on a group that has been appointed to advise on the development of a national food policy. Others are also concerned that the group is dominated by industry interests. In one of two commentaries [...]

In case you missed it in the Crikey bulletin today…. Health policy analyst Jennifer Doggett writes: All consumers, with the possible exception of medical specialists and senior health fund executives, should welcome Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s announcement that she will re-introduce legislation to means test the private health insurance (PHI) rebate. As an industry welfare [...]

As mentioned in the previous post, there are pros and cons to having a stand-alone minister for mental health (or any other specific area of health). On the one hand, you might get a dedicated minister and more opportunity for engagement, and a greater slice of ministerial attention. But on the other hand, if the [...]

Update, Sept 14: Warren Snowdon will retain his portfolio of Indigenous health after a last-minute change to the Ministry line-up.  From what the Cabinet health minister Nicola Roxon told Lateline last night, Snowdon is happy about this, and so is Roxon and the PM. According to the posts below, from yesterday, some Indigenous groups will [...]

Thanks to the many Croakey readers and contributors who came along to the New News conference in Melbourne last week, to discuss the opportunities of the digital revolution for supporting a healthier public debate. It was good to see you there and from Croakey’s perspective, it was a reminder of how the Internet can be [...]

While the wait for a Government continues, here is the advice that the National Rural Health Alliance gave the independents last week: “The NRHA proposes that interested parliamentarians seek a formal written commitment that the new Government should: 1. Plan and deliver broadband access to homes and businesses throughout the nation. Fast broadband is essential [...]

As mentioned in the previous post, we were well entertained at the National Rural Health Alliance’s dinner in Canberra last night. Amongst other fare, the Alliance’s executive director Gordon Gregory was channeling Banjo Paterson…. IN DEFENCE OF THE BUSH by The Doggreller – with apologies to Banjo Paterson, whose poem of the same title was [...]

The National Rural Health Alliance’s annual dinner in Canberra last night was pumping (please see bottom of the post for details of the revolutionary chanting that was going on). Just a few weeks ago, rural health barely rated as an election issue. Yesterday the three independents met with NRHA leaders for their advice on what [...]

Over the last few years, a large amount of effort and resources has been invested in health care reform. Will it all end up in the dustbin? This is a distinct possibility. I’ve compiled a short summary below, based on the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association election analysis, of what we might expect to find [...]