Tornado Alley (PROG)

[fuagf]

Edit: Options for reforming Australia's health system .. note: a public option is popular period. A NO BRAINER

"A healthy economy needs healthy citizens and the Public Option for heath insurance is a great start."

Online only 16 February 2009
Dr Anne-Marie Boxall and Dr Luke Buckmaster
Social Policy Section

Contents .. Introduction

A brief overview of the Australian health system
Commonwealth and state responsibilities
State versus federal tensions

The need for reform

Managed competition
The Scotton model
The Podger model
Criticisms

Medical saving accounts (MSAs)
Criticisms

Medical Hospital Benefits Scheme ...
Criticisms

Single national insurer
Criticisms

Voucher system
Criticisms

Big-bang or incremental reform?

The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission

Conclusion
As can be seen from the above, there are strong voices on both sides of the ‘big-bang versus incremental reform’ debate.

Those in favour of large, structural change highlight the necessity of fundamental change necessary to deal with deep-rooted problems. There are clear political and structural challenges associated with any change of this type. Those favouring incremental change tend to highlight the dangers of large-scale change (including, for example, the loss of some of the good features of the current system). However, a possible consequence of incrementalism is that the health system continues to simply ‘muddle through’, resulting in the continuation or even exacerbation of current problems.[36] Either way, the intended direction of any change in the Australian health system under the Rudd Government is likely to become clearer following the Government response to the NHHRC Interim report.

[1]. The current AHCAs are due to expire on 30 June 2009. At the November 2008 Council of Australian
Governments Meeting, the National Healthcare Agreement was signed, which will replace the AHCAs.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/pubs/bn/2008-09/HealthReform.htm

There is always something of value to be seen in other systems. All have critics and problems.

"A healthy economy needs healthy citizens and the Public Option for heath insurance is a great start."

Edit: LOL, just saw video .. Am cruising in USA for all.