Aussies doing less to pay for their health

Government funding for health has increased with the proportion set aside by individuals falling to 2011-12 levels.

Government funding of health has increased as the proportion individuals contribute falls to its lowest in five years.

More than $170 billion was spent on health goods and services in 2015-16, the latest report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows.

Of that amount, $114.6 billion (67.3 per cent) was provided by governments.

That's up from 66.9 per cent the year before and the first increase in the proportion of what governments contribute since 2011-12.

The federal government chipped in $70.2 billion - a rise of $4 billion - while the states set aside $44.4 billion (an increase of $2.5 billion).

Funding from other sources, such as individuals and private health insurers, fell in the year.

The 17.3 per cent contributed by individuals is their smallest contribution since 2011-12.

Overall growth in health spending continues to slow, with the 3.6 per cent rise in 2015-16 well below the 10-year average of 4.7 per cent.


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Source: AAP



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