This highly successful book, now in its fourth edition, is a standard text, providing a comprehensive analysis of health care and public policy in Australia. It explains what governments have done and what they can do about shaping Australia's health care system, and considers the political, economic, social and epidemiological contexts within which health policies develop, and the forces that promote and oppose change. Major issues include health insurance, and the organisation and provision of hospital and medical services. Key selling points: An up-to-date account of Australian health policies and their historical background
Reviews salient aspects of the policies of Coalition and Labor governments
Emphasises a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding how policies are developed and implemented
Covers health insurance, hospitals and other health services, medical practice and technology, the health workforce and public health
Includes discussion questions, further readings, useful illustrations and websites New to this edition: Data and illustrations have been up-dated and expanded
Recent policies, including the recommendations of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, have been reviewed and evaluated
Much new material has been included about health insurance, medical practice and technology, the health workforce and the health status of disadvantaged groups, including the indigenous population
This book makes the case for significant health policy reform
Addition of discussion questions and further readings