Released 24th September 1998
Medicare.
The Medicare levy will be retained. Taxpayers with full private health cover
will be exempt from the Medicare levy.
Private Health Insurance.
All Australians will be encouraged to obtain private health cover which will
be fully tax deductible; but the amount of tax deductibility will be less
the amount saved by not paying the Medicare levy.
Dental.
The Commonwealth Dental Health, and Pensioner Denture schemes will be available
to all pensioners. Public dental clinics and the School Dental Health Scheme
for primary school children will be upgraded. Students will be able to be
examined and treated on at least a yearly basis at no cost.
Pharmacists.
Pharmacists will be encouraged to be Medicare agents in areas without ready
access to Medicare offices.
Home and Community Care.
Funds will be reinstated for Community Care Programs such as Meals on Wheels,
Home Maintenance Programs, community transport and home help services. The
concept of ‘aging in place’ is supported strongly. The requirement
for centre based care for the mentally and physically handicapped whose needs
are unable to be met in community situations will be reassessed.
Hospitals.
One Nation supports the return of control of public hospitals to hospital
boards to effectively restore control to local communities who can then take
pride and an interest in "their" hospital.
Rural Health Care.
One Nation will undertake a range of responses and initiatives to rectify
the lack of GPs and specialist medical and dental practitioners in rural
areas.
Migrants.
One Nation will act to have tighter medical screening of migrants.
Alternative Medicine.
Australians can select alternative therapeutic treatments accredited after
training and qualification standards have been met and the effectiveness
of the treatment has been proven.
Aboriginal Health.
One Nation policy is that all Australians be treated equally. Medical, dental
and surgical services will be made available on the basis of need and not
on the basis of race.
Public Administration.
One Nation supports the concept of the delivery of health services on a national
regional basis appropriate to the particular needs of each national health
region. State governments should have the responsibility for all health services
within the regions, including for the aged.
Financing of Health Services.
One Nation supports a policy of a non-political distribution of the available
funds according to demographic need based on the health index of each state
and territory and approved health programs.
Statement issued by Ray Danton, One Nation Health spokesman and candidate for Lyne