Steering without navigation equipment: the lamentable state of Australian health policy reform.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Commentary on health policy reform in Australia often commences with an unstated logical error: Australians' health is good, therefore the Australian Health System is good. This possibly explains the disconnect between the options discussed, the areas needing reform and the generally self-congratulatory tone of the discussion: a good system needs (relatively) minor improvement.

Results

This paper comments on some issues of particular concern to Australian health policy makers and some areas needing urgent reform. The two sets of issues do not overlap. It is suggested that there are two fundamental reasons for this. The first is the failure to develop governance structures which promote the identification and resolution of problems according to their importance. Th

SUBMITTER: Richardson JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2791101 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature