Gathered for the CHF Medicare 40^th anniversary stakeholder lunch are Emma Greeney (Director, Policy and Advocacy, Mental Health Australia), Dr Anita Munoz (Chair, Victoria Council, RACGP),Tony Lawson, (Chair, CHF), Ken Griffin (CEO, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association), Elizabeth Deveny (CEO, CHF), Melissa Le Mesurier (Director, Advocacy and Engagement, CHF), Dr John Mathew, (AMA Victoria representative)

CHF has continued to advocate strongly for health consumers as Medicare celebrated its 40th anniversary on 1 February 2024.

In the media and directly to Health Minister Mark Butler, CHF CEO Elizabeth Deveny has called on the Australian government to fund CHF to deliver public education on how best to better understand and use all the health services that Medicare provides.

This need for greater support for health literacy education was supported by key sector representatives who attended a CHF stakeholder lunch in Melbourne on 31 January.

For full details on CHF’s activities on Medicare’s anniversary, please read our blog

Consumers Health Forum released its submission for the Federal Budget 2024-25. Among the 18 recommendations, we continue to call for support to identify and train new health consumers, as well as funding to educate and connect consumers, practitioners, and the wider community in a variety of ways.

We also called for the Implementation of the Health Literacy Strategy and commit to the recommendations of the National Oral Health Alliance.

Information about the OECD Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) mentioned in the session and a short video is available here.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has invited CHF to nominate one consumer representative to its Diagnostic Imaging Stakeholder Committee (DISC). The Department is looking to re-establish this committee that expired on 30 June 2023. The committee provides a forum to consult with stakeholders on diagnostic imaging matters relating to the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

Closes midnight Sun 4 February 2024.

CHF is leading the development of the 2024 National Consumer Sentiment Survey. The survey aims to increase understanding of the health system from a consumer point of view, to improve the delivery and planning of healthcare services in our communities.

There is an opportunity for up to 20 consumers to participate in an online workshop to give feedback on the current survey themes and suggest new ideas.

The workshops are on Tues 20^th February and Thurs 22^nd February 2024 and consumers will be paid for their time.

Closes: 9:00 am Monday 5 February 2024 (AEDT)

The Australian Digital Health Agency has established the Council for Connected Care, which provides advice on matters related to connecting care and supports the implementation of the National Healthcare Interoperability Plan 2023-2028. 

Up to five consumers have been invited to participate in the next meeting, which will take place face-to-face in Sydney on 22 February 2024 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Applicants will be selected from all over Australia. People from Rural and Remote areas are welcome and encouraged to apply.

We expect selection will be made in early February. Please submit your Expression of Interest by 9:00 am Monday 5 February 2024 (AEDT)

The Commonwealth in partnership with the state and territory governments is undertaking a review of the BreastScreen Australia Program 

The review will inform the future strategic direction of BreastScreen Australia, and consider emerging evidence and research, safety and quality, and funding models to maximise equity and participation.

The online survey and further information is available here

For questions contact (02) 6289 4467 or [email protected]

Closes 20 February 2024

A Select Committee Review into oral healthcare has been released, suggesting reforms to Medicare that could potentially cover free or partially funded dental services for Australians. The report outlines four different models, each with a capped and an uncapped version. These options are for universal dental care, means-tested (for health-care card and pension card holders), seniors, or coverage for preventative-only Medicare items.

The report includes cost estimates outlined for each of the eight alternatives.

Health Consumers Tasmania is recruiting for a new CEO to lead and grow the organisation, implement strategic goals and objectives, and oversee operations.  

To see more or submit an application, apply online at www.chapmanexecutive.com.au by Monday, 5 February 2024. 

Mind the gap: At 40, Medicare feels the pain of age as patients pay more
(Sydney Morning Herald, 28 Jan 2024 – paywalled)

More than 7 million scan orders in three months but patients now paying huge gap fees
(Sydney Morning Herald, 19 January 2024 - paywalled)

How to find a good GP (ABC Radio NSW/ACT 15 January 2024, 1 hr.30 min - 1 hr 50 min)

GP Bulk-billing rates (The Guardian, 9 January, 2024)

CHF supports the recognition of Rural Generalist Medicine which aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural and remote areas. However, we call for careful implementation, ongoing consumer engagement, and detailed evaluation strategies to help ensure benefits for rural and remote consumers.

Read our submission

In-person event at the Melbourne Museum, (currently a waitlist, but add your name or contact the organiser if you are interested in this event)

Organiser: Melbourne Institute 

19 February. 8:30 am – 5:00 pm