Federal Budget: Chance to fix healthcare funding patchwork
Media Release
1 February 2010
Federal Budget: Chance to fix healthcare funding patchwork
In its submission to the Federal Budget for 2010-11, the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) has called for the establishment of a national Essential Care List scheme. The PBS-style scheme is designed so patients can more easily access consumable medical products essential for their care in the community.
“With the proposed Essential Care List, the federal Government has the chance to fix an area of healthcare spending that has been at best a patchwork of stand-alone schemes and at worst has meant that patients have missed out on products essential to their care,” said Anne Trimmer, MTAA Chief Executive Officer.
At present many of the medical technology products that are essential for patient care are either unfunded or, if funded, vary in availability and subsidy depending on the place where the patient lives. Some assistance is available from the Federal Government, other support is from State Governments. Some products are provided for free by healthcare practitioners who understand the benefit to the patient from the use of a particular product.
The proposed Essential Care List combines several of the existing schemes and includes a small number of other essential medical items not currently subsidised. One List instead of multiple schemes makes it easier for patients to navigate the system to access products at a time when they are most in need.
The scheme is not intended to be fully-funded, but requires a degree of patient co-contribution. MTAA estimates the amount in a range of $200-650m per annum, depending on the scope of included items. This sum is a combination of what is currently being spent in the various schemes across Commonwealth and State health budgets, plus additional areas that are currently unfunded. This amount does not take into account cost savings achieved through the merger of current stand-alone schemes.
"MTAA believes that through smart administration and increased access to products that enable patients to remain in the community rather than be admitted to hospital, savings for the health system can be achieved.
“Chronically ill or incapacitated patients need to have access to medical technologies that help them live a quality life in the community. It is not equitable that a patient has access to medicines through the PBS, but not to modern wound care dressings, for example, that help the patient stay out of hospital.
“This will not only be good for the patient, but also deliver cost savings to the Australian economy. Patients will be able to remain a productive member of the workforce and stay in their own home, or reduce dependence on a carer,” said Ms Trimmer.
The product range suggested for inclusion on the List includes aids used in daily life of critical care patients that improve the quality of life.
They include:
• Oxygen supplies/consumables
• Compression hosiery, bandages and garments for lymphodaema
• Continence products
• Modern wound care devices (including wound dressings)
• Breast prosthetics (non-implantable)
• Pumps and consumables for insulin delivery, and continuous flow pumps for drug delivery, together with consumables
• CPAP/sleep apnoea devices
• Laryngitic products
• Diabetes consumables (pens, strips, pump consumables)
• Home dialysis devices, consumables and set-up costs.
The MTAA Budget submission can be accessed at www.mtaa.org.au/policyissues.
The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) is the national association representing companies in the medical technology industry. MTAA aims to ensure the benefits of modern, innovative and reliable medical technology are delivered to the community for a healthier Australia.
Media contact: Marion Demann MTAA 0416 625 678
