The Future of Medicare Forum

As the population ages and chronic disease intensifies, the demands on healthcare spending continue to rise adding greater pressure to Medicare, the national health insurance scheme. The tax-payer funded Medicare system subsidises numerous health services for Australian residents. With the growing demand for health services, taxes from the Medicare levy are only a small percent of the money required to fund the system. The Medicare scheme is integral to improving the health of all Australians but with resources already overstretched how should Government invest in a sustainable health insurance system?

It is in this context that Informa will be holding its inaugural Future of Medicare Forum this November in Sydney.

By November, the Government’s response to the NHHRC report will be known so there is no better time for a discussion on the reform issues and objectives of the national health insurance system. This forum will bring together a mix of industry leaders including senior government representatives, healthcare service providers, health insurers and industry associations to collectively discuss and debate the funding issues in the national health insurance scheme and the implications for healthcare service provision in Australia.

Join the debate!

The programme consists of a mix of experts who are driving healthcare reform and preparing for the future needs of health service provision in Australia. You will spend a solid two days of learning and networking with industry experts. 

Featuring an outstanding panel of speakers including:

> Murray Watt MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Healthy Living
> Paul Gross, Director, Institute of Health Economics and Technology Assessment
> Jim Butler, Professor and Director, Australian Centre for Economic Research on Health (ACERH), The Australian National University
> Johannes (Just) Stoelwinder, Chair of Health Services Management, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
> Mark Fitzgibbon, Chief Executive, NIB Holdings
> Bruce Levy, CEO, Medibank Private
> Ian Yates, Chief Executive, COTA Seniors Voice (Council on the Ageing)
> David Crosbie, Chief Executive, Mental Health Council of Australia
> Prof. Katherine McGrath, CEO, Australian Association of Pathology Practices
> Carol Bennett, CEO, Consumers Health Forum
> John Dwyer AO, Emeritus Professor, UNSW and Founder, Australian Health Care Reform Alliance
> Rod Wilson, CEO, Inner East Community Health Service
> Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing Federation

Program at a glance

Day one of the conference will assess the policy reform strategy and issues surrounding the Medicare scheme, health budgets and expenditure, private health insurance, access to health services and improving efficiency and accessibility through e-health. Key topics include:

• Health policy reform
• The role of Medicare
• Health expenditure
• E-health and innovation
• Public and private hospitals
• Private health insurance

Day two of the conference will focus on major changes to Medicare and the MBS including prevention and health promotion, obstetrics and maternity services, mental health, primary health care, general practice, nursing, pharmaceuticals and dental care. Topics include:

• Health strategy and planning
• Community Health Service
• Primary Health Care
• Sustainable health workforce
• Rural Health Care
• Health Priorities
• Dental care

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