This Month
We’ll all be taking Ozempic-type drugs ‘like we do daily vitamins’
Doctors say they have not seen anything like this since the emergence of statins to lower cholesterol. But do we know enough about the long-term impact?
Health insurers warn of closures without 6pc premium hike
Health funds have asked Labor to allow big premium rises as the amount they charge policyholders is not keeping pace with healthcare inflation.
The woman defending the industry everyone loves to hate
Private health insurers are being derided all around, but their chief lobbyist, Rachel David, insists they make our medical system the envy of the Americans and British.
Health insurer NIB warns profit to fall up to 10pc as NZ claims soar
The company’s admission comes a day before submissions are due to the federal government about premium increases for the coming year.
- Updated
Brookfield’s Healthscope secures extension on $1.6b debt
The private hospital operator has been given more time from its lenders to secure extra funding from insurers as costs mount.
Health insurer salaries in the spotlight as premiums climb
The salaries of Australia’s big health insurance bosses are rising with their profits.
GP referrals to be axed under proposed health shake-up
Patients could skip a visit to their GP when obtaining referrals to some specialists under the recommendations of Labor’s inquiry into the healthcare system.
Robots in the operating room allow surgeons to ‘push the boundary’
A robot surgeon performing complex microsurgery at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne is patching up cancer patients in a first for the Asia Pacific region.
How to avoid harsh lockdowns in the next pandemic
Politicians were the information gatekeepers in Australia during the economically crippling lockdowns of 2021, but scientists have a better idea.
Private hospitals warn of more closures after Labor refuses bailout
Health Minister Mark Butler has told struggling private hospital operators to sort out their own problems and resolve differences with insurers.
October
- Exclusive
- Healthcare
Healthscope vows to terminate Bupa deal if it does not accept fees
Healthscope has written to Bupa asking it to amend its contract to let it slug members with extra hospital fees.
Investors turn on CSL, delivering first strike on pay after poor year
But the company told shareholders it needed to compete with major rivals in the US for talent, and had to pay higher salaries to keep key executives.
Healthscope to slug Bupa members $100 extra for hospital stays
Six million Australian health fund members will be forced to pay higher charges to use the services of the country’s second-largest private hospital group.
Insurer HCF bows to NSW pressure on hospital bed rates
Insurers say they are being held hostage by the NSW government which is threatening to hike taxes if they do not pay more to use public hospital beds.
Telix boss says Australia ‘horrible’ at getting drugs to patients
Christian Behrenbruch, the founder of ASX biotech giant Telix, says Australia has a “horrible” track record getting drugs to patients and lags rest of the world.
ResMed downplays Ozempic disruption fears as sales beat forecasts
Chief executive Mick Farrell says the company has only scratched the service in global demand for sleeping disorder devices.
Labor hints it will not back steep rise in health insurance premiums
Health Minister Mark Butler says insurers seeking premium increases may be asked to “sharpen their pencils” as cost-of-living pressures bite.
The mental health crisis gripping Australia’s private hospitals
Some health insurers say stand-alone mental health hospitals are unlikely to exist in 10 years’ time given the challenges they face.
Ramsay calls for insurance shake-up as hospital bailout hopes sink
Ramsay Health Care says it is not expecting the federal government to bail out loss-making hospitals.
CSL pulls studies, trials on three therapies in late-stage setback
The biotech giant has not ruled out expanding its pipeline of treatments through acquisitions after a number of projects were put on hold.