Health prevention framework a productivity win: COSBOA
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) welcomes the Productivity Commission’s (PC) recommendation that a National Prevention Investment Framework for healthcare be established, improving population health, reducing the cost of healthcare and supporting individuals to live more productive lives.
COSBOA Chair Matthew Addison said the proposed framework, which would create a funding mechanism supporting eligible prevention initiatives across the nation, would enhance long-term health outcomes for all Australians and support broader economic gains.
“When it comes to health, we all know prevention is better than a cure. There is a significant volume of research on the value of nutrition and movement for preventative healthcare – services many COSBOA members provide,” Mr Addison said.
“Private health has recently had a number of modalities approved for health funds, including movement therapies like yoga and pilates, as well as other natural therapies.
“Health funds do provide small rebates for these services, which is helpful, but the proposed framework would help more people access such services more quickly and at less expense.”
Mr Addison said the proposed framework should utilise the entire healthcare network incorporating medical staff, allied health and natural therapies accredited by private health insurance. These would include services recently added such as naturopathy, western herbal medicine, yoga, pilates, shiatsu and alexander technique, to ensure Australians were able to access a diverse range of preventative treatments.
He noted further productivity gains could also be made within the existing healthcare ecosystem by enabling health practitioners to practice to their full scope of practice.
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“Recent innovations in models of care for nurses and pharmacists have delivered productivity gains to the healthcare system, which we all know is stretched,” Mr Addison said.
“The government’s recent Scope of Practice Review makes a number of productivity-boosting recommendations, which should be implemented in a timely fashion to ensure all health practitioners can work to their full scope of practice.”
Mr Addison highlighted opportunities to streamline quality and safety processes to reduce duplication for healthcare providers, reducing regulatory burden for small healthcare businesses.
“Reducing administrative burden through harmonising processes would enable small businesses in the health sector to spend more time looking after their clients and enhance the overall healthcare experiences,” Mr Addison said.
“Cutting the small business company tax rate to 20% – a key PC recommendation – would also be a huge boost for small businesses in the care economy, allowing them to reinvest in their businesses, innovate and focus on client care.”
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact Anne-Louise Brown on anne-louise@akinagency.com.au or call 0406 987 050.
About COSBOA
Established in 1979, The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is a member based not-for-profit organisation exclusively representing the interests of small businesses. The capability, representation, and reach of COSBOA are defined by a mix of over 50 national and state-based members. COSBOA’s strength is its capacity to harness its members’ views and advance consensus across policy areas common to many.
Our member organisations work with the COSBOA team to assist us with policy development and guide our advocacy – not just for small businesses but also for the benefit of the Australians they employ. In this capacity, COSBOA makes submissions and representations to the government, including its agencies, on issues affecting small businesses and to pursue good policy.
For more information, visit www.cosboa.org.au
