Current Issues

Low take up of the Rehabilitation Plus service item in the Hearing Services Program.

Increasing choice of, and access to, safe and high quality maternity care for Australian women and their families.

The report on the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy (Labelling Logic) developed by the independent Panel chaired by Dr Blewett contains recommendations concerning the labelling of new technologies, including genetic modification.

The report on the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy (Labelling Logic) developed by the independent Panel chaired by Dr Blewett contains a recommendation on labelling of added sugars, added fats and added vegetable oils (including palm oil).

The independent Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy (the Blewett Review) and the recommendations concerning the introduction of traffic light labels on foods.

Changes to the GP Mental Health Treatment Plan Medicare items, including the introduction of timed items and rebate changes.

Aged care workforce wages.

Transition arrangements for the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative allied mental health services for 2012.

Extension to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing of dabigatran (Pradaxa®).

From 1 January 2010, an upper limit was placed on the benefits that are paid under the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) for a limited number of Medicare items, including all obstetrics items. Concerns have been expressed about the EMSN capping and its impact on Medicare payments in relation to specialist obstetric services.

A motion has been introduced into Parliament calling for a broad ranging Senate Inquiry into the arrangements for the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement.

The Australian Government’s implementation times for plain packaging legislation.

Access for adults to growth hormone (somatropin) through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The retention of specialist registration title which currently exists for clinical psychologists in Western Australia under the transitional arrangements for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).

The decision made by Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd (Pfizer) to distribute its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines under a direct supply arrangement via DHL Exel Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Ltd (DHL).

Community members are requesting that the Australian Government renew and increase its funding to the Macular Degeneration Foundation to educate and raise awareness about macular degeneration in the community.

Application to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) seeking approval of low THC hemp as food.

Nanotechnology and sunscreens

The Australian Government’s commitment to improving health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Australian Government support for people with ongoing wound care needs.

Approval of genetically modified (GM) wheat field trials and the potential future commercial production of GM wheat and use in the food supply.

Proposed introduction of means testing for the private health insurance rebate and increase to the Medicare levy surcharge for people on higher incomes who do not hold appropriate private health insurance cover.

The Australian Government’s design and legislation for plain packaging.

Patients are concerned that Medicare rebates for pathology tests are to be cut.

Approval by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) of genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant corn line DAS-40278-9 as a food.

Services for people with younger onset dementia and their families and carers.

The Productivity Commission’s proposal to include the principal residence in a comprehensive means test for approved aged care services.

Funding for biomedical research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, otherwise commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) draft position statement on homeopathy.

Importation of primates for medical research.

Animal testing of cosmetics.