Current Issues

Expansion of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

Applications may be received for the Minister for Health to exercise her discretionary power under the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) to approve a pharmacy to supply Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines.

New registration standards under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) will apply to Chinese Medicine practitioners with effect from 1 July 2012.

The Australian Government is implementing a world’s best practice approach to organ and tissue donation to achieve a significant and lasting increase in the number of life-saving and life-transforming transplants for Australians.

Information on the Australian Government’s role and contributions to dental health care in Australia.

Services to support people with dementia and their families and carers.

Subject to the passage of legislation, from 1 July 2012, eligibility for the Family Tax Benefit Part A supplement will be linked to the immunisation status of children aged one, two and five years with the intention of creating a stronger incentive for the majority of parents to have their children immunised and to improve immunisation rates over time.

Particular requirements of Intersex, Transsexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse people when accessing the health care system.

Increasing choice of, and access to, safe and high quality maternity care for Australian women and their families.

The report on the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy (Labelling Logic) developed by the independent Panel chaired by Dr Blewett contains recommendations concerning the labelling of new technologies, including genetic modification.

The report on the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy (Labelling Logic) developed by the independent Panel chaired by Dr Blewett contains a recommendation on labelling of added sugars, added fats and added vegetable oils (including palm oil).

The independent Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy (the Blewett Review) and the recommendations concerning the introduction of traffic light labels on foods.

Changes to the GP Mental Health Treatment Plan Medicare items, including the introduction of timed items and rebate changes.

Aged care workforce wages.

Transition arrangements for the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative allied mental health services for 2012.

Extension to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing of dabigatran (Pradaxa®).

From 1 January 2010, an upper limit was placed on the benefits that are paid under the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) for a limited number of Medicare items, including all obstetrics items. Concerns have been expressed about the EMSN capping and its impact on Medicare payments in relation to specialist obstetric services.

On 25 November 2011 Senator Richard Di Natale introduced a motion in the Senate which called for a broad ranging Inquiry into the arrangements for the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement (Fifth Agreement). On 27 February 2012, Senator Di Natale withdrew the motion.

The Australian Government’s implementation times for plain packaging legislation.

Access for adults to growth hormone (somatropin) through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The decision made by Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd to distribute its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines under a direct supply arrangement via DHL Exel Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Community members are requesting that the Australian Government renew and increase its funding to the Macular Degeneration Foundation to educate and raise awareness about macular degeneration in the community.

Application to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) seeking approval of low THC hemp as food.

Nanotechnology and sunscreens

The Australian Government’s commitment to improving health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Australian Government support for people with ongoing wound care needs.

Approval of genetically modified (GM) wheat field trials and the potential future commercial production of GM wheat and use in the food supply.

Changes to private health insurance. Income testing for the private health insurance rebate and increase to the Medicare levy surcharge for some people who do not hold appropriate private health insurance hospital cover.

The Australian Government’s design and legislation for plain packaging.

Approval by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) of genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant corn line DAS-40278-9 as a food.

Services for people with younger onset dementia and their families and carers.

The Productivity Commission’s proposals to include the principal residence in a comprehensive means test for approved aged care services and for the Australian Government to introduce a government-backed equity release scheme to facilitate older Australians drawing on the equity in their principal residence to cover aged care costs.

Funding for biomedical research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, otherwise commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) draft position statement on homeopathy.

Importation of primates for medical research.

Animal testing of cosmetics.