Australian healthcare demand is "unsustainable":
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The current expansion in demand for medical services in Australia is unsustainable and fundamental changes to the structure of the healthcare system are essential, according to a report in Australian Financial Review. The number of cardiac pacemaker procedures is increasing at 14% annually, organ transplants at 16% and laser treatments at 27%, the report says. Medicare expenditure on diagnostic ultrasound procedures is growing at an annual rate of 21%. Changes proposed in the report include: shifting risk from consumers to providers; reducing unnecessary acute care capacity; integration of general practitioner services; rationalising state and federal responsibilities; and intensifying competition between providers and insurers.