Australians will have access to universal dental health care under reforms suggested by a federal government health commission.
The commonwealth will take over responsibility for all primary health care outside of hospitals and fund all outpatient services in hospitals.
The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission has stopped short of calling for a full federal takeover of hospitals, but left open the option of the commonwealth funding 100 per cent of hospital admissions further down the track.
The annual cost of the reforms is estimated to be between $2.8 and $5.7 billion.
In addition, capital investment over five years of up to $7.3 billion is needed.
But the report says the changes could save $4 billion a year by 2032-33.
Of the 123 recommendations, one that could be most welcomed is the suggestion that commonwealth fund a new Denticare Australia.
The commission’s final report, released publicly on Monday, says there are more than 650,000 people currently on public dental waiting lists and the dental health of children is worsening.
‘To address these problems we are recommending a new universal scheme for access to basic dental services – Denticare Australia,’ the report says.
It will cost an estimated $3.6 billion a year. Under the scheme every Australian will have access to basic dental services ‘regardless of people’s ability to pay’.
It will be funded through an increase in the Medicare levy of 0.75 per cent of an individual’s taxable income.
source : www.bigpondnews.com
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