Australian Mental Health Medicare Plan off to Struggling Start
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They are working to improve mental health treatment in Australia. Last year’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) decided to provide Medicare benefits for those Australians seeking out cheaper mental health clinics for a range of treatments. However things don’t seem to be off to a stellar start. The new plan has only been in operation since last November and analysis of the first six months of operation indicate that the $100 million a year budget set for the program just isn’t enough money!
Most of the funds are being used in referrals by general doctors to psychologists for those seeking to improve mental health problems that they suffer with. In addition it seems that the ‘aid’ provided by this program just isn’t reaching everyone evenly. More populated areas of Australia get the most benefit from the new mental health Medicare program while areas with fewer doctors miss out. A Mental Health Council (MHC) spokesman stated that they needed more research to determine just how well the benefits were reaching those in rural areas and young men in particular.
Mental health care in Australia can be almost more expensive than in America in some places and the populace just isn’t able to access affordable treatment. In addition large areas of the country are almost devoid of proper health centers, doctors and therapists. The Mental Health Care Medicare benefit program is a great start and shows that Australia is aware of their growing problem, but so much more is needed to improve mental health care in the county and aid people in finding the affordable treatment they need.
Tags:Mental Disorders, Mental Health mental health news