The inquiry and report of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee which reviewed the out-of-pocket costs in Australian healthcare.

Introduction

Health expenditure occurs when money is spent on health goods and services. It occurs at different levels of government, as well as by non-government entities such as private health insurers and individual.

This report discusses the following terms of reference:

• the current and future trends in out-of-pocket expenditure by Australian health consumers; and,
• key areas of expenditure, including pharmaceuticals, primary care visits, medical devices or supplies, and dental care.