One of the main problems that Australia faces today is the poor health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I also want to see how the current health system of Australia could improve these conditions. But before I can do my detailed research I decided to get some background that explained what Australia’s healthcare system is like.
Over all the health status of Australians is good, life expectancy is about 81 years of age, but these numbers can be deceiving because the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a poor health status. When it comes to Australians of European descent they are generally healthier than the indigenous Aboriginal people. So how does such a successful sounding healthcare system fail so many of their people?
Currently in Australia there is both a private sector and a public sector which together, insures that all Australians, New Zealand citizens, and holders of permanent visas obtain health coverage. Their goal is to provide a health care funding system that allows for universal access to health care while still allowing their citizens a choice between a private sector and a public one. In 1946 Australian health care took a new direction with a new amendment to the constitution which stated that the Commonwealth would start to provide health benefits and service in addition to the service offered in States and Territories. Funding and decision making for health care is divided up by these two entities. The Commonwealth heads policy making in health care and research. They also help fund services out of the hospital such as residential aged care and also health research. States and Territories directly fund many health services. They also join forces and help fund community care such as meal deliveries.
In Australian both private and public health care is known for providing quality care, offering a wider variety of service and hospital options. These systems are also strongly centered on residential and community care programs which are aimed at improving the lives of Australia’s elderly. Here the health care system can provide delivery meals, at home help, or nursing homes. They also help to provide a wide variety of affordable medicines. Inpatients are provided with medication free of charge. The common wealth also works closely with the Therapeutic Goods Administration which imports and monitors the quality of prescription drugs.
A major part of the health care system in Australia that needs mentioning is Medicare which helps provide health care with little to no cost to the people. Medicare is largely financed by a wide range of taxes and also a levy which began in 1984. In order to fund Medicare both States and Territories can apply for grants provided by the Commonwealth. Also under Medicare all armed forces and veterans are covered.
When citizens are covered under public health care they are entitled to choose hospital locations. Private patients are free to choose not only their location, but also their doctor. And although Australia has a health care system that is available to all citizens, the Commonwealth encourages citizens to obtain private health care because it helps cover many services that Medicare does not provide such as dental, optical, and physiotherapy. They also encourage private health care because it is not only affordable but it also allows the government to reduce pressure on the public system. Despite the fact that the government encourages citizens to take out private health care the Commonwealth still protects and regulates private insurance companies to ensure that they are charging everyone the same premium regardless of health status or claims history. This protects Australian and New Zealand citizens from getting denied based on chronic illness.
Although Australia seems to have a very well established and fair health care system, there is still a population of Australians that are neglected and experience poor health. Just recently the Commonwealth has started up a program to help citizens obtain healthcare regardless of how far they live. This includes Royal Flying Doctor Services which delivers care to remote areas by aircraft, community controlled health services that meet special needs of the indigenous people, and also community programs that are aimed to help the aged. Despite their attempts many aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are still behind in their overall health compared to Australians from European descent.
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