Major Healthcare Reform Push Ahead of Federal Budget
17 Apr 2026
The submission outlines changes across public hospitals, general practice, private health, workforce, and public health. It focuses on making the system more sustainable and better suited to current patient needs.
In general practice, the submission calls for changes to the Medicare rebate system. It says the current model does not reflect the time and complexity involved in caring for patients, especially as more people are living with long-term and complex health conditions. It argues GPs need more support to spend longer with patients and provide coordinated care.
In the private health sector, the submission highlights ongoing pressure and calls for reforms to improve transparency and value in private health insurance. It also supports expanding hospital-in-the-home services for privately insured patients and developing clearer payment rules for out-of-hospital care, while maintaining patient safety and clinical independence.
The submission also continues to support the idea of an independent body to oversee the private healthcare system, aiming to bring together all stakeholders and guide long-term reforms.
On public hospitals, it acknowledges recent funding progress but says the system is still under strain, with continued issues such as exit block and performance pressures.
It also calls for stronger action on prevention, pointing to rising chronic disease levels. The submission highlights overweight and obesity as the leading modifiable risk factor in Australia and supports measures such as a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks to encourage healthier choices and support public health funding.
On workforce, it recommends creating an independent health workforce planning agency to better forecast future needs. It also calls for more specialist training places and stronger planning of medical training across states and territories to ensure better access to care in the future.
https://www.ama.com.au/
Source: National Press Club / Pre-Budget Submission
Categories
- MBS
- PBS
- The Department Of Health And Aged Care
- RACGP
- NIP
- AHPRA
- NSW Health
- Queensland Health
- Victoria Health
- Tasmania News
- Western Australia
- SA Health
- NT HEALTH
- Pharmacy Board Of Ahpra
- National Asthma Council
- NT
- AMA
- NACCHO
- BCNA
- Australian College Of Nurse Practitioners
- Asthma Australia
- LFA
- Palliative Care
- Primary Health Network
- AIHW
- Children's Health Queenland
- Kidney Health
- CHF
- MHC
- Gold Coast
- Tsa
- TGA
Popular Posts
Recent Posts
Tags
- Environmental health National Health and Climate Strategy environmental-health-national-health-and-climate-strategy