Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of private health insurance for Australia's healthcare system. (5 marks)
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Advantages of private health insurance:
- [P] Private health insurance reduces pressure on Australia’s public healthcare system by diverting patients to private facilities.
- [E] This occurs when insured patients choose private hospitals for elective surgery and specialist treatment rather than using public services.
- [Ev] Almost half of all Australians have private hospital cover, which helps manage demand on public hospital waiting lists and emergency departments.
- [L] Therefore, private insurance supports the sustainability of public healthcare by sharing the patient load across both sectors.
However, private insurance creates notable disadvantages:
- [P] Conversely, private health insurance can increase healthcare inequality between different socioeconomic groups in Australian society.
- [E] This happens because wealthy Australians can afford comprehensive private cover while lower income groups rely solely on public services.
- [Ev] Young people, elderly patients and those with limited income have lower rates of private insurance, potentially creating a two-tiered healthcare system.
- [L] Consequently, private insurance may undermine the equity principles that underpin Australia’s universal healthcare approach through Medicare.
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Advantages of private health insurance:
- [P] Private health insurance reduces pressure on Australia’s public healthcare system by diverting patients to private facilities.
- [E] This occurs when insured patients choose private hospitals for elective surgery and specialist treatment rather than using public services.
- [Ev] Almost half of all Australians have private hospital cover, which helps manage demand on public hospital waiting lists and emergency departments.
- [L] Therefore, private insurance supports the sustainability of public healthcare by sharing the patient load across both sectors.
However, private insurance creates notable disadvantages:
- [P] Conversely, private health insurance can increase healthcare inequality between different socioeconomic groups in Australian society.
- [E] This happens because wealthy Australians can afford comprehensive private cover while lower income groups rely solely on public services.
- [Ev] Young people, elderly patients and those with limited income have lower rates of private insurance, potentially creating a two-tiered healthcare system.
- [L] Consequently, private insurance may undermine the equity principles that underpin Australia’s universal healthcare approach through Medicare.