RACS views it as an important step towards improving the sustainability and accessibility of Australia’s private health system.
However, RACS argued that the reforms do not adequately address the crucial role of surgical services and the specialist workforce, which underpin the viability of private hospitals and elective surgery capacity.
RACS highlighted in its submission that private hospitals perform the majority of elective surgery in Australia and have been critical in reducing public surgery backlogs since COVID-19. Despite this, the sector faces growing financial pressures, hospital closures, workforce shortages and rising costs of surgical practice. The College emphasises that reform should be assessed not only through a private health insurance lens, but also in terms of its impact on patient access, hospital capacity, workforce sustainability and service viability.
Read RACS’ submission (PDF 341.14KB).
For more information or to read the Consultation Paper, visit the Department’s webpage.