Can this election bring affordable, equitable, quality services?

There is no shortage of proponents of this idea: it has been championed by many, including John Menadue of New Matilda and the Centre for Policy Development and Jeff Richardson, economist and former chair of the Tasmanian review. Even the federal government's own inquiry report, The Blame Game, released in November 2006, following a year-long House of Representatives standing committee inquiry into health funding, called for a national health agenda, although it stopped short of an insistence on funding reform. Despite acknowledging the “identifiable benefits”, the committee baulked at the “substantial period required to institute the arrangements”.

A national approach to health, indeed a national health policy (Australian does not currently have one), could well provide direction and help to address jurisdictional inefficiencies. The Australian Health Care Reform Alliance advocates the establishment of a National Health Reform Council (NHRC) to drive this policy agenda.

Difficult though reform might be, taking no action, and finding our health system also at five minutes to midnight, is surely not an option. Reform is necessary, inevitable, and like addressing climate change, requires bold and visionary action.

As the federal election approaches, Australians who care about health should be watching closely to see which of the parties will be brave enough to ensure Australians will have access to affordable, equitable, quality health services into the future.