The Australian Health Care Reform Alliance (AHCRA) is a coalition of 46 organisations representing consumers and health care providers advocating for a fairer and more effective health care system.
There are major problems with Australia’s health care system at the moment but it is quite possible to make changes which will see Australia confidently meet the health care needs of its citizens in the 21st century. Australia's healthcare system needs reform.
The aim of the Alliance is to convince the Australian people and their elected representatives that health care reform is necessary and desirable.
Significant progress has been made. With the election of a new Government in 2007, we have witnessed the establishment a National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission to develop a long term health reform plan and immediate initiatives to broaden the health care agreements between the Commonwealth and the States.
Latest News
2009 AHCRA Summit
Interview of Dr Paul McCormack by ABC Life Matters: To access the podcast of the Dr McCormack, please visit the ABC website http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2009/2506474.htm
Professionals and consumers agree on key health reforms: Media Release Post AHCRA Summit (5 March 2009)
Concerns mount over private health insurance subsidies: Media Release 2009 AHCRA Summit Day One
Please click here to access speakers' presentations from Day 1.
Please click here to access speakers' presentations from Day 2.
Please click here to access the speech by Minister Roxon from Day 2.
Funding emerges as key issue of health reform summit: Pre-Summit Media Release 2009
AHCRA Submission to the National Primary Care Strategy
Please click here to access a copy of the submission to the National Primary Care Strategy.
Please click here to access an extract to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission in relation to primary health care.
Why Health Reform?
The key problems with the health system are:
· the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
· many Australians cannot access health care when and where they need it
· a chronic shortage of doctors, nurses and other health professionals
· insufficient focus on prevention and primary care
· the inefficient allocation of resources caused by the current State/ Commonwealth funding structure.
To find out more, click here to find out about the History of AHCRA, its Principles and Priorities.
AHCRA has also commissioned a Short Film About Health Reform, which you can view by clicking here.
Become a Member
The AHCRA Executive is the volunteer management body of the Alliance selected by the Member Organisations of AHCRA. If your organisation would like to become an AHCRA member, please click here to download an application form.
Become a Supporter
If you would like to become an AHCRA supporter, please submit your email address in the Take Action box on the left.
Other News
AHCRA responds to 2020 Summit
Improving the Australian Health Care Agreements
AHCRA recently concluded a successful workshop on improving the Australian Health Care Agreements (AHCAs). The AHCAs are the agreements through which the Commonwealth and States/Territories co-fund public hospital services. You can read the presentation given at the workshop by the Chair of AHCRA, Fiona Armstrong, as well as the Media Release and Communiqué, by clicking on the files below.
Presentation
Media Release
Communiqué
National Health and Hospitals Reform Comssion
AHCRA provided a briefing on health reform to the new National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission. Briefing to Commission.
More News can be accessed in the Archives section of the website.
AHCRA calls on COAG to commit to real health reform. Media Release, 20 December 2007.
AHCRA releases Election 2007 Scorecard (15 November 2007)
AHCRA releases Election 2007 Statement
AHCRA supports Close the Gap campaign to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation. Read the NACCHO Health Equality Plan and the AHCRA Statement here.
AHCRA's National Health Reform Summit concluded with a call for reform to provide Australians with a fair health system able to meet the needs of the whole community now and into the future.
The Communiqué, media releases and position papers from the Summit can all be downloaded under the Health Reform and Media and More buttons above.
Please click here for Audio files covering all aspects of the Summit. |
