UTSpeaks: Holes in the Net

Hospital, image by José Goulão on Flickr

Is Medicare still meant for all of us, or only a privileged few?

With a second review of the Medicare Safety Net now concluded, how should policy makers, health professionals and patients respond to the many costly flaws that have been exposed? For how long should taxpayers bear the consequences of a system with loopholes allowing some health care providers to charge massive fees for services used mainly by a wealthy minority?

This lecture details the failings of Australia's Medicare Safety Net. It reveals a system with perverse incentives, prone to misuse and manipulation. It discusses the difficulty and confusion of the vulnerable in the community in accessing vital health services and the frustration of bureaucrats in delivering a universal health care system that works. It finally considers pathways for a more sustainable system for all Australians.

Dr Kees van Gool
Kees van Gool is a health economist with extensive experience in international, national and regional health policy research. He has contributed to and managed projects for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, MBF and the Senate Community Affairs References Committee. Currently, he is a chief investigator for an NHMRC research project on the cost-effectiveness of chemotherapy protocols as well as a capacity building grant on the use of econometric techniques in health technology assessment . Kees recently completed his PhD at UTS which examined aspects of out-of-pocket costs and health care access. He is a member of Cancer Australia’s National Research Advisory Group and a regular contributor to the Bertelsmann Foundation’s Health Policy Monitor series.

UTSPEAKS: is a free public lecture series presented by UTS experts discussing a range of important issues confronting contemporary Australia.

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