The document summarizes the 2015-2016 Federal Budget and its impact on health care in Australia. Key points include $34.3 million over two years for Medicare reform and review of medical services. It also allocates funding for primary care, preventative care, and workforce training, but some areas see reduced funding from previous budgets, including dental care for children and Indigenous health programs. Concerns are raised that some measures may reduce services or access to care for consumers.

1. 2015 – 2016 FEDERAL BUDGET
What are the costs to your health?

2. MEDICARE REFORM
$34.3 million over two years to continue the Medical Services
Advisory Committee's activities and deliver an expanded
process of MBS Review.
• MBS reform is needed, and CHF welcomes the
commitment to continue the work of MSAC to support
this review 
• Consumers stand to benefit from a redesign of Medicare that
is directed at ensuring that MBS items for outmoded
procedures or those that lack an evidence base are given a
thorough assessment 
• The taxpayer stands to benefit from a more efficient and
effective universal Medicare system 

3. PRIMARY CARE / PHNs
• CHF welcomes the commitment to primary care reform, but
we had hoped to see a greater investment in direct
provision of primary care services 
• CHF will continue to advocate for consumer-centred models
of primary health care supported by new, more appropriate
ways of financing integrated, coordinated care, particularly
for people with complex and chronic conditions 
• Efficient delivery of primary care services can reduce
hospital visits, promoting health while driving down costs to
the system 

4. PREVENTATIVE CARE
• The Budget does not go far enough to ensure Australia
is on the front foot when it comes to preventing
illnesses 
• Australia is already struggling under the weight of
preventable illnesses, diverting funds away from other
needed community programs 
• Under this budget, preventable chronic conditions will
continue to plague Australia and the health system,
driving up costs in the future 

5. WORKFORCE REFORM
• Australians need a strong health workforce. Scholarships
to train that workforce should not be a source of “savings”
for the Government 
• CHF is glad to see the Government is targeting regions
where workforce priorities are still not being met 
• The Budget does not really commit to workforce reform, it
just shuffles existing funds in order to make savings 

6. AFTER HOURS CARE
• “Refocusing” after hours primary care funding does not
promote a healthier Australia. After hours care should be
strongly supported and CHF is not convinced that a
practice incentive is the best way to achieve improved
access to and accountability for better after hours care 
• The PIP’s criteria might cause GPs to determine that they
cannot see enough patients to qualify for a payment, and
so close their doors 
• It’s a minuscule “saving” to the taxpayer that costs them
access in both the near- and long-term 

7. PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS
SCHEME – SAFETY NET
• Will the co-payment and safety net threshold increase
proceed ?
• From 1 January 2016, Safety net increase for the next
four years by two prescriptions each year for concession
card holders (or from $366 to $427.80) and by 10% each
year for everyone else (or from $1452.20 to $1597.80) 
• CHF will strongly resist changes to the PBS co-payments
that result in higher out of pocket costs for consumers 

8. PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS
SCHEME – MEASURES
• Better access to life-saving drugs for melanomas,
breast cancer, and macular degeneration 
• Australians aged between 70-79 will now be eligible
to receive the shingles vaccine free of charge 
• Amending the prices for PBS listed medicines will
provide better value for public money as long as
access is not compromised 

9. CANCER
• National Cancer Screening Register for
Bowel and Cervical cancers will mean
easier access to screening, detection and
treatment for consumers 

10. eHEALTH
• A robust electronic health record will improve continuity of care
as people transition through the health system 
• Two trials to rebuild consumer and clinical confidence 
• How will the measures address clinician reservations about the
system or provide incentives to participate ?
• How will consumers be engaged in the design and
implementation ?
• The funding is for the eHealth record only and does not address
the longer terms needs of a fully integrated health system 

11. DENTAL
• Oral health is fundamental to the overall health,
wellbeing and quality of life of Australians and there
needs to be a national approach 
• Will the process for the Reform of Federation White
Paper ensure that there is a longer term plan for dental
health ?
• In 2014 the NPA was deferred by 12 months 
• The $155m is a reduction on the $200m which was in
the previous Budget allocation 

12. MEDICAL RESEARCH
• There is always a need for more research with chronic
diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and degenerative
conditions like Alzheimer’s, still looking for successful
treatments and cures 
• What will the Fund will achieve in the short term ?
• Consumers face possible reduction of access to services as
funding is diverted to finance the Fund 
• Not good value for money if focused purely on medical
research. CHF would prefer to see the fund’s priorities
focused on health system and translation research that
results in better care and better clinical practices 

13. CHILDREN
• There will be reduced access to dental services for
children and this will lead to poorer long term health
outcomes 
• Some children will miss out on vital child health checks as
they do not access the State and Territory schemes 
• Children’s health checks are not part of ongoing primary
health care which will lead to decreased monitoring of
children’s health 
• Likely to be increased out of pocket expenses on child
dental services as people cannot access the services they
need 

14. LAST YEAR’S CUTS
• CHF had hoped to see restoration of the $1.95
billion reduction in hospital funding from last
year’s budget 
• CHF is disappointed that the $121 million
“rationalisation” in Indigenous health programs
from last year’s budget has not been restored 
• The retention of the $1.67 billion freeze in
Medicare payments to doctors may mean many
patients are likely to face higher medical bills 

15. Consumers Health Forum of Australia 2015
To have your say on the
2015-2016 Federal Budget and
it’s impact on Australian health
care visit ourhealth.org.au