HOW THE MAJOR PARTIES COMPARE ON HEALTH
THE OVERARCHING VISION:
* Health Minister Greg Hunt:
"You need a comprehensive, long-term national health plan and you need a strong economy to back it."
* Labor health spokeswoman Catherine King:
"This election offers a stark choice, and nowhere is that choice more stark than when it comes to health policy. It's a choice between a Labor Party with a proud record of health investment and reform. And a Liberal Party with a shocking record of cuts and chaos."
REDUCING CANCER TREATMENT COSTS:
* Labor: Has proposed investing $2.3 billion to improve the coverage of cancer services on Medicare.
* Coalition: Has not vowed to match Labor's proposal, arguing it lacks detail and is poorly costed. Instead would provide relief to cancer patients by making more medicines affordable with new subsidies.
PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE REBATES:
* Coalition: To "take further steps" to return the rebate to 30 per cent once our surplus hits one per cent.
* Labor: Wants a two per cent cap on private health insurance premiums and a Productivity Commission review into the private health sector.
WHETHER AUSTRALIA SHOULD CONTINUE INVESTING IN NEW HEADSPACE CENTRES FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH:
* Coalition: Investing is Headspace is critical and funding will continue to increase next year.
* Labor: Welcomes the expansion of Headspace but believes the mental health system is too fragmented, with more mental health investment needed in primary care.
ALLOWING DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE MEDICINES FOR PERIODS OF TWO MONTHS FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS:
* Coalition: "Consider and consult" on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee's proposal.
* Labor: Any changes to how medicines are dispensed will need to be conducted in line with the national community pharmacy agreement.
SUBSIDISING MORE COUNSELLING APPOINTMENTS (THAN THE CURRENT 10 PER YEAR) THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH PLANS:
* Coalition: Would make changes to how mental health services are covered if they are recommended by the Medicare task force, which reviews coverage.
* Labor: Would consider the change if it is recommended by the Medicare task force.
NICOTINE VAPING:
* Neither Labor nor the coalition support authorising the sale of nicotine vaping products.
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