Australian perspectives in health care policy

Australia has a pluralist health care system, with a tax-funded national health insurance system, controlled by the Federal government, providing universal access to medical and public hospital services. To enable access to private hospitals, and to be treated as a private patient in public hospitals, nearly 40% of the population has additional private health insurance. Although Australia enjoys a relatively high health care status at a relatively low cost, efforts continue to be made to ensure equitable access to health services and to encourage greater efficiency in health service delivery.