Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Brown, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 16 July 2014:

The out-of-pocket costs in Australian healthcare, with particular reference to:

(a) the current and future trends in out-of-pocket expenditure by Australian health consumers;

(b) the impact of co-payments on:

(i) consumers' ability to access health care, and

(ii) health outcomes and costs;

(c) the effects of co payments on other parts of the health system;

(d) the implications for the ongoing sustainability of the health system;

(e) key areas of expenditure, including pharmaceuticals, primary care visits, medical devices or supplies, and dental care;

(f) the role of private health insurance;

(g) the appropriateness and effectiveness of safety nets and other offsets;

(h) market drivers for costs in the Australian healthcare system; and

(i) any other related matter.

Question agreed to.