PBS script cost cuts for patients, a bolstered First Nations health workforce and a focus on driving more health workers into the regions are among the most pertinent announcements for the ophthalmic sector from the 2022/23 Federal Budget.
On 25 October, Federal Health Minister Mr Mark Butler unveiled a package that would spend $104 billion on health, $30.6 billion on aged care, and $633 millon on sport, totalling $135 billion, up 5.7% on last year.
The centrepiece of the health budget is $2.9 billion “to strengthen Medicare that will address a decade of cuts and neglect in general practice and primary care”. The government hopes this will reaffirm the scheme as the cornerstone of the Australian health system and take the pressure off overloaded hospitals.
If this has implications for optometry is not yet known, but the package is expected to drive a revamp of Australia’s primary healthcare system.
PBS and effective medicines
Patients who use the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to access therapies for glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eye and other eye diseases can expect their maximum co-payments to drop from $42.50 to $30, at a cost of $787 million to the taxpayer, from 1 January 2023.
“The maximum cost to general patients for PBS medications has doubled since 2000. These high costs meant that close to one million people delayed or did not fill their medications in 2019–20,” the government said, noting this is the first price drop in the scheme’s 75-year history.
“Each year, this will save around 3.6 million Australians more than $190 million in out-of-pocket costs.”
In addition to this, the government is providing an additional $1.4 billion for new and amended listings on the PBS and other medicines programs.
Indigenous health
While there were no obvious announcements specific to Indigenous eye health, the government is investing $314 million toward First National health outcomes.
Specifically, it will deliver improved infrastructure, including new and expanded First Nations health clinics in locations with high and growing First Nations populations ($164 million).
The First Nations Health Workers Traineeship Program ($54 million), led by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), will train up to 500 First Nations health workers.
Overall, The Fred Hollows Foundation has welcomed $1.2 billion in practical measures to Close the Gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
“For too long communities have suffered as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and health services have felt the strains of increased costs of delivery, chronic underfunding and dwindling workforce availability,” CEO Mr Ian Wishart said.
“The Fred Hollows Foundation believes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people deserve better and we must all own the commitment to closing the gap. We welcome the government’s $314.8 million commitment over five years from 2022–23 to closing the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and wellbeing outcomes. We are hopeful this will help us address the gap in eye health as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are still three times more likely to be blind or vision impaired than other Australians.”
Rebuilding regional healthcare workforce
The 2022/23 Budget will address health workforce shortages particularly beyond Australia’s capital cities, making new investments in preventive health and improving mental health support.
The $185 million Rural Workforce package will attract, support and retain more doctors and allied health professionals into regional and rural communities, including new funding for the successful Innovative Models of Care program ($24.7 million).
More health workers will also be eligible for salary support through the Workforce Incentive Program ($29.4 million).
Supporting small business well-being
Independent eye clinics haven’t been immune from the impacts of recent flooding and COVID lockdowns. For affected businesses, the government is providing $15 million to extend the tailored small business mental health and financial counselling programs, NewAccess for Small Business Owners and the Small Business Debt Helpline.
“These programs have assisted many small businesses through the challenges of COVID-19 and recent natural disasters,” the government stated.
Free TAFE
The government is also delivering 480,000 fee-free TAFE and community-based vocational education places over four years. As a first step, the government is entering a $1 billion agreement with the states and territories to provide 180,000 places in 2023.
This agreement will prioritise training for students that traditionally face barriers to work and study, including women facing economic equality issues, and target industries with severe skill shortages.
It will deliver a $50 million TAFE Technology Fund to modernise TAFEs, enabling students to take advantage of up-to-date IT facilities, workshops and laboratories.
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