Government Acknowledges Specialist Fees as National Priority
Australia's peak health consumer body has expressed strong support for the federal government's new initiative to address rising specialist costs, highlighting the issue as a significant barrier to healthcare access.
Health Minister Mark Butler has identified escalating specialist fees as a critical focus for upcoming health reforms, amid growing concerns over affordability and accessibility of care for Australians.
Dr Elizabeth Deveny, Chief Executive of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia, stated, "Consumers tell us constantly that specialist care is now something they budget for, and in far too many cases, go without. That is a system that is failing people."
She further explained that the affordability of specialist care has deteriorated sharply in recent years, pushing it beyond reach for many Australians. As inflation rises, household budgets tighten, and health becomes an area where people cut back.
Survey Highlights Cost Concerns
A recent survey by the Consumers Health Forum found that specialist fees are the top financial worry for 86 per cent of respondents when facing new health issues, surpassing concerns about mental health services, dental costs, and allied health expenses.
Dr Deveny emphasised the urgency of reform, noting, "When inflation surges and household budgets tighten, health is an area where people cut back, and the consequences show up later and cost more."
The need for reform is underscored by the fact that 76% of respondents in the survey cited mental health services and dental costs as significant concerns, followed by 64% for allied health and 52% for diagnostic imaging.
The Consumers Health Forum has been advocating for over a decade for government action on specialist out-of-pocket costs. The organisation is ready to collaborate on reforms but insists that consumer input is crucial to shaping effective solutions.
For the 2026-27 federal budget, the Forum has prioritised specialist out-of-pocket costs, oral health affordability, and meaningful consumer engagement in health policy discussions.
Dr Deveny remarked, "We've been calling on the government to address specialist out-of-pocket costs for over ten years, so it is genuinely welcome to see this elevated as a national priority."
She concluded that involving those who face these costs daily is essential in devising practical and sustainable health reforms.
