As the federal election draws closer, allied health and other medical bodies have started to make their funding wishlists known.
With campaigning for the incoming federal election yet to begin in earnest, organisations from across the health sphere are beginning to make their desires known.
The RACGP has already confirmed that its biggest ask for 2025 will be a 40% increase to Medicare rebates for consults lasting between 20 and 60 minutes, and the AMA is already in discussions with health minister Mark Butler about its preferred “substantial, strategic investment” options.
Neither of the GP colleges have released their full election or May budget asks yet, but other groups have – including the National Rural Health Alliance, Australian College of Nursing and Australian Dental Association.
Both major parties have also stayed mum on their exact promises for primary care thus far – theoretically, it’s still anyone’s game.
Here’s a rundown of the initiatives vying for the health dollar so far.
What: Subsidised dental for over-65s
Cost: $1.1 billion per year
Who’s asking: Australian Dental Association
The peak body for Australia’s dentists wants to see a Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule, which would subsidise a maximum of $1132 worth of dental care for people aged 65 or older.
The scheme would be open to Commonwealth seniors’ health cares, pensioner concession cards and healthcare card holders over 65, and the capped funding would reset every two years.
According to the ADA, Australians aged over 65 years are missing 14 teeth on average.
“We know that regular trips to the dentist allow problems to be treated early – saving individuals from having more costly and lengthy dental visits further down the track,” association president Dr Chris Sanzaro said.
“The [Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule] would make this a reality for millions of older Australians.”
The ADA is also asking for oral health assessments for people who are 75 years or older to be added to the MBS.
What: A business case demonstrating the outcomes of nurse-led services
Cost: $10 million
Who’s asking: Australian College of Nursing
Citing the 2024 Scope of Practice Review, the Australian College of Nursing has requested further research into new primary care models, like nurse-led clinics.
“While the new prescribing changes represent progress, further implementation of recommendations from the Scope of Practice Review, such as enabling direct referrals from Nurse Practitioners and Remote Area Nurses, is essential,” the college said.
“A business case demonstrating the effectiveness and sustainability of nurse-led services remains critical to advancing these reforms.”
Related
Changes to collaborative arrangements which came in late last year mean that nurse practitioners no longer have to be working directly with a doctor in order to bill Medicare.
What: A national rural health fund
Cost: $1 billion over four years
Who’s asking: National Rural Health Alliance
The National Rural Health Alliance, which represents rural healthcare workers from a range of different professions, has put forward a request for a national rural health strategy, underpinned by a $1b fund.
Half of the fund would go toward blended or block funding and the other half would go toward infrastructure.
Right now, governments spend roughly $850 less per person per year on health for Australians who live outside of a city, amounting to a $6.55b total expenditure gap.
“To truly make a difference in addressing equity of access and improving health outcomes for rural Australia, we need to acknowledge that market-based fee for service models cannot deliver for small populations spread across large distances,” the alliance said.
“In primary care, as for hospital funding, rural Australia needs blended funding models, with block funding to supplement fee for service in small and remote communities.”
The proposed $500m in block funding would go toward activities like lease and maintenance costs, transport costs, salary supplementation and expansion of allied health workforce in areas where the market has failed or no market exists.
Infrastructure funding, on the other hand, could go toward IT capital costs, equipment and premises fit out.
Crucially, it would only be available to communities in Modified Monash Model 4 to 7 regions.