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.

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) welcomes the discussion about the end of life, assisted suicide and palliative care on the ABC’s Q&A program, to be aired tonight.

Catholic Health Australia is Australia’s largest non-government grouping of hospitals, aged and community care services, providing approximately 10 per cent of healthcare services in   Australia. Catholic Health Australia’s CEO, Suzanne Greenwood, today stated that greater investment in quality palliative care should be the focus of the debate.

Catholic Health Australia congratulates Australian Catholic University (ACU) on the appointment of Mr Julien O’Connell AM as its next Pro-Chancellor.

Chair of the Catholic Health Australia Board, Ms Rowena McNally, said “Mr O’Connell is a highly respected and valued member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Health Australia and we look forward to enjoying an enhanced relationship working further with ACU subsequent to his appointment as Pro-Chancellor.”

Catholic Health Australia welcomes the Turnbull Government’s decision to give Minister Sussan Ley the added responsibility as Minister for Aged Care to add to her portfolios of Health and Sport.

Catholic Health Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne Greenwood, is pleased with today’s announcement and hopes for enhanced opportunities for care integration, moving forward, under the one minister.

Catholic Health Australia commends Calvary Health Care for its continued commitment to providing essential palliative care and rehabilitation services of the highest quality for the people of Wagga Wagga and the greater Riverina.

Calvary Riverina Hospital’s new $9.3 million Mary Potter Palliative Care Unit and the St Joseph’s Rehabilitation Unit, to be officially opened tomorrow, illustrate both Calvary’s and Catholic Health Australia’s shared belief in the value of providing dignified and compassionate palliative care, a right for all Australians faced with incurable or life-limiting illness.

Suzanne Greenwood, CEO of Catholic Health Australia, today acknowledged the important place palliative care holds in the holistic health care ethos practiced by Catholic health, aged care and community service providers such as Calvary Health Care.