Kees Van Gool

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Bulk-billing rates have been trending upwards for well over a decade. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

FactCheck: do 86% of people visit the doctor for free?

Peter Sivey, RMIT University

Yes, 86% of GP visits were bulk-billed in 2017-18, up from 82% when Labor was in power. But they also rose under Labor, while the percentage for “patients” seems to be lower than the percentage for “visits”.
The number of Medicare claims Australians make in a year doubled between 1984 and 2018. By Sopotnick

More visits to the doctor doesn’t mean better care – it’s time for a Medicare shake‑up

Jane Hall, University of Technology Sydney and Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney

Paying doctors a fee for each service they provide isn’t delivering optimal value for the health dollar. Instead, we should pay doctors a lump sum to care for a patient’s medical problem over time.
A$1.6 billion over four years will allow 14,000 more older Australians to remain in their home for longer. Tanoy1412/Shutterstock

Budget 2018 boosts aged care, rural health and medical research: health experts respond

Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney; Andrew Wilson, University of Sydney; Helen Dickinson, UNSW ; Lesley Russell, University of Sydney; Peter Sivey, RMIT University, and Rosalie Viney, University of Technology Sydney

Making older Australians the cornerstone of budget measures is a calculated political tactic.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Labor leader Bill Shorten addressed the National Press Club on February 1 and January 31 respectively. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

FactCheck: are bulk‑billing rates falling, or at record levels?

Thomas Longden, University of Technology Sydney and Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney

In twin speeches to the National Press Club, Labor leader Bill Shorten said bulk-billing rates are falling, while Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said bulk-billing is at record levels. Who was right?
The Commonwealth is telling the states to fix their own hospital budget problems, as though state governments can simply find savings from other areas. MARCELODLT/Shutterstock

Here’s how to boost hospital funds and end the blame game

Jane Hall, University of Technology Sydney and Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney

Health-care costs are rising, driven by expensive developments in treatments, more demanding populations and rising national wealth. We need to change the financing system to meet this challenge.
There’s elephant in the room that government-appointed reviewers need to notice if they’re going to overhaul the Medicare Benefits Schedule. mike woodward/Flickr

Medicare review must deal with ‘elephant in the room’ incentives

Jane Hall, University of Technology Sydney; Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney; Michael Woods, University of Technology Sydney; Rosalie Viney, University of Technology Sydney, and Stephen Goodall, University of Technology Sydney

The review of Medicare recently announced by the health minister is not only a pachydermal task, it will also fail unless it acknowledges the elephant in the room – our fee-for service health system.
Discussions about Medicare’s sustainability under the Abbott government have only concerned how much we spend on the health sector. AAP/Joel Carrett

Abbott redux needs to revisit ‘sustainable’ health spending

Jane Hall, University of Technology Sydney and Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney

The Abbott government “reset” yesterday provides a valuable opportunity to reconsider health policies based on the idea that Australia’s health system is unsustainable. But first it will need to embrace…
The AMA proposal would wipe out 97% of the government’s $3.5bn savings. Newzulu/AAP

AMA co‑pay plan: protecting the poor and GPs’ bottom line

Jane Hall, University of Technology Sydney and Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney

Bulk billing without restrictions has been a feature of the Australian health system since the introduction of Medicare in 1984. It is particularly important in general practice, as it means any Australian…
The Medicare Safety Net is riddled with costly flaws, making the system prone to misuse and manipulation. AAP

Who reaps the benefits? Rethinking the Medicare Safety Net

Kees Van Gool, University of Technology Sydney

Medicare is one of the cornerstones of the Australian health care system, but there are serious questions about some aspects of the program. Over time, government reforms have created some perverse incentives…

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