Australia's health system: condition: unstable; prognosis: needs intensive care

This paper is a discussion of the problems inherent in the development of a health policy in the political arena. Politicians should work towards a consensus health policy, in consultation with health professionals, hospital administrators, health insurance organisations, health care consumers and others. Any consensus health policy must address the issue of health care financing, define the responsibilities of Federal, State and local governments, provide for the special health care needs of disadvantaged groups, and ease the necessary transition from the current emphasis on acute care, to a system which gives high priority to preventive care, health education, individual and community responsibility for health maintenance, and appropriate levels of care.