Step forward for preventative health

The Tasmanian Greens today (Wed) welcomed the passage of their motion to establish a Joint House Select Committee on Preventative Health, which will help drive sustainable health reforms.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that while the motion still needs to pass the Upper House, today’s vote was an important step towards making the fundamental reforms that are needed to place the health system on a sustainable footing.

“Now is the time for a serious and comprehensive look at the potential cost savings and other benefits of preventative, early detection and early intervention health care,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“We are now on track to have a Parliamentary inquiry to ensure that there is a comprehensive and continued focus on preventative health that also drives the necessary economic structural reform and puts health onto a sustainable footing.”

“Over 600 international studies have shown that a focus on prevention and wellness delivers outcomes in terms of risk reduction, behaviour change, health costs and productivity.”

“One dollar spent now on preventative health and early intervention measures is estimated to save $10 in the future.”

“Nationwide spending on health is about $100 billion a year with about half of that used in treating chronic lifestyle-related diseases. Compare that to 1.8 per cent of the current health care budget which is invested in preventative health care.”

“I am saddened that instead of being constructive, the Liberals have tried to use this opportunity to resort to stunts, by attempting to remove critical aspects from the terms of reference relating to mental health and tobacco company donations.”

“This is what a donation of $14,000 to the Tasmanian Liberal Party buys; opposition to a critical measure aimed at reshaping the state’s health system and easing the burden on hospitals created by lifestyle diseases.”

“If the Liberals were genuine about preventative health then they would have welcomed this opportunity today, instead of complaining about who did it first. Surely the public deserve better than that kind of petulance.”