Catholic Health Australia (CHA) and Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) are pleased to announce a new partnership to initiate the Australian Ministry Leadership Program, drawing on the support and experience of the Ministry Leadership Centre, USA.

The Australian Ministry Leadership Program is the first collaboration of its kind between these two leading agencies of the Catholic Church in Australia. This initiative represents what is anticipated will be a significant and shared future in supporting Catholic health, aged care and social services to thrive as ministries of the Church.

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Catholic Health Australia (CHA) in partnership with UnitingCare and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has today released an independent review that supports fears that the Turnbull Government’s changes to the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI), which target older people with the most complex health care needs, will result in funding reductions that will significantly exceed Government estimates.

The review, conducted by Ansell Strategic, was undertaken to assess the impact of the proposed changes to the ACFI on funding and the care of residents. It involved 501 aged care homes and almost 39,000 residents across Australia.

“It has been our concern from the beginning that the ACFI changes designed to pull back on the rate of growth of funding per resident per annum on account of the increasing frailty of residents will cut deeper than intended, and will compromise the ability for the sector to provide for residents in need of the most complex care,” said Catholic Health Australia’s CEO, Suzanne Greenwood.

“The Report confirms that changes to the ACFI would decrease funding per resident by an average of $6,655 and reduce funding for aged care homes by 11% on average,” said Mrs Greenwood. 

19 June 2016

Labor’s commitment to reverse cuts to the MBS pathology bulk billing incentives welcomed

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) welcomes today’s announcement that a Shorten Labor government would not proceed with the removal of the bulk billing incentive items for pathology tests.

CHA CEO, Suzanne Greenwood said today that “this proposal will remove some of the current financial pressure facing the sector and will help to ensure current levels of bulk billing are maintained.”

“Too many vulnerable and disadvantaged patients are already not accessing necessary health services due to high out of pocket costs for GP and specialist visits. We should not be adding to this burden,” Mrs Greenwood added.

“We welcome this measure as a recognition of the challenges facing pathology, and in particular the not-for-profit and independent providers.”

12 June 2016
Labor’s commitment to provide additional funding for public hospitals welcomed

Today’s announcement that a Shorten Labor government will re-commit to funding 50% of the efficient growth in public hospital costs was welcomed by CHA CEO, Suzanne Greenwood.

“Our public hospitals play a vital role in the health of our community, including the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. It is important that they are provided with the resources necessary to maintain that role,” Mrs Greenwood said.

 “The commitment by Labor to 50% growth funding would ensure that the Commonwealth will continue over the long term to play its share in making sure that public hospitals are properly resourced. By being exposed to growth in hospital costs, it will also strengthen the incentive for the Commonwealth to appropriately fund primary and aged care services – thereby reducing future hospital demand”, said Mrs Greenwood.

12 June 2016

Government private health insurance announcement a win for consumers

"Today’s announcement that a re-elected Turnbull government will act to make private health insurance more transparent and easy to understand is a big win for consumers and will benefit the wider health system," CHA CEO, Suzanne Greenwood said today.

“Private health insurance plays an important role in Australia’s health system. With around half the population being covered by private health insurance, it is vital that consumers have a good understanding of what they are covered for.”

“The range and complexity of health fund products, including the options for exclusions and limitations, means that the vast majority of consumers do not understand the scope of coverage of their insurance product.”

“When consumers do need hospital treatment, many can be disappointed to find that they do not have the level of cover they thought and face the prospect of significant out of pocket costs.”

Urgent action needed to maintain not-for-profit and independent pathology

18 May 2016

Catholic Health Australia Disappointed in Omission of Not-for-Profit Sector in Pathology Report

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Suzanne Greenwood, welcomes the announcement by Minister Ley today of her intention to form an industry working group comprising of health insurers, device manufacturers, private hospital providers, clinicians and consumers to reform the current Prostheses List arrangements.

Currently, each device listed on the Prostheses List attracts a benefit that private health insurers are required to pay on behalf of their members. The Minister and other stakeholders have pointed to differences between the List benefit paid by health funds in the private sector for some devices compared to Australian public sector and international prices in arguing the case for reforms that will reduce pressure on premiums.