Call for independent commission

HFANZ prepared a briefing paper for new Government ministers after the election.

It warned about the unsustainable growth in public health costs and said the looming health financing problem posed a bigger threat than increasing numbers of retirees drawing Government super.

HFANZ said a quasi-independent forum modelled on the Commission for Financial Capability could be part of finding a solution to health funding because the debate would be de-politicised.

Chief executive Roger Styles said politicians were reticent to admit there was a problem: “It doesn’t make good politics to say the Government can’t do everything.”