2023 Australian Budget: A Win for Health and Digital Health in Australia and Region and Rural Areas
Luke Goldsworthy
Digital | Retail | Artificial Intelligence | Cyber Security | Marketing | Procurement | Buying | Advisor | Speaker | MAICD
The 2023 Australian budget has brought great news for the country's health and digital health sectors. The budget includes several measures to improve access to healthcare, reduce costs, and promote the use of digital health technologies.?
The budget includes significant investments in Medicare. As highlighted in an article on ABC News, "the budget commits $2.3 billion to boost Medicare services, including mental health, chronic disease management, and preventive health." This investment will help to ensure that more Australians have access to quality healthcare services, especially those with chronic conditions.
In addition to the investment in Medicare, the budget includes changes to bulk billing for doctor visits. An article on SMH.com.au explains that "the government will lift the freeze on the indexation of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) from 2024, which will see rebates for a range of services increase." This move is expected to reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients, making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
The budget includes investments in digital health, focusing on telehealth and electronic prescribing. According to an article on News.com.au, "the government has committed $375 million to extend telehealth services, allowing Australians in regional, rural and remote areas to access medical consultations and specialist services remotely." This investment will help to bridge the gap in access to healthcare between urban and rural areas, providing better access to quality care for all Australians.
Furthermore, the budget includes measures to promote the use of electronic prescribing. As highlighted in the same article on News.com.au, "the government has committed $29 million to improve the uptake of electronic prescribing, which is expected to save time and reduce errors in the dispensing of medicines." This investment will help streamline the prescribing and dispensing process, reducing the risk of errors and improving patient outcomes.
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As touched on before, the measures announced in the 2023 Australian budget are a significant win for regional and rural health, bringing much-needed investments and improvements to healthcare services in these areas. By promoting the use of digital health technologies, improving access to healthcare services, and investing in mental health and chronic disease management, the budget is helping to ensure that all Australians, regardless of where they live, have access to quality healthcare services.? But more is needed.
In summary, the key wins for health and digital health in the 2023 Australian budget are:
The 2023 Australian budget is a positive step forward for the country's health and digital health sectors. The investments and measures announced in the budget will help to improve access to healthcare, reduce costs, and promote the use of digital health technologies to enhance patient care.
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Jim Chalmers #markbutler Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care digitalhealthagency Australian Health Journal Australian Medical Association Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association (AHHA) National Rural Health Alliance The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) Rural Specialist Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) NSW Health Digital NSW The Children's Tumour Foundation Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia