APHA Research Papers

The following research was commissioned by the APHA to examine key issues affecting Australian health care.

  • Assessment of Data Availability for the Analysis of Performance of Public and Private Hospitals- a summary of research conducted by NATSEM for APHA in September 2009.
  • Should Exclusionary Products be Banned? (500.7kb PDF) – In September 2005, the APHA released Access Economics’ research paper looking at the rise of exclusionary health insurance products – that is, policies that DON NOT cover patients for certain treatment and procedures. This practice can leave patients dangerously exposed and the APHA argues such policies should be banned.
  • Private Hospitals Capital Expenditure (117.6kb PDF) – In August 2005, the APHA released Access Economics’ research on the dramatic fall, and future sector intentions, regarding capital investment by private hospitals. The report paints a bleak picture of future investment given private health insurance company refusals to pass on successive premium increases.
  • Ensuring Portability of Private Health Insurance (1.3MB PDF) – In June 2005, Access Economics released this report – commissioned by the APHA, on the erosion of portability of private health insurance for consumers and made recommendations for enshrining the rights of consumers.
  • Education & Training of Health & Medical Professionals in Private Hospitals & Day Surgeries (978.2kb PDF) – n March 2005, the APHA released the Allen Consulting Group’s research paper examining the extent to which private hospitals provide for the training of tomorrow’s health workforce. The research found a staggering $36 million a year investment in the training of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals by private hospitals. The major impediment to private hospitals doing more is funding. It’s time to reassess how Australia funds training of the medical workforce.
  • Striking a Balance: Choice, Access and Affordability in Australian Health Care (311kb PDF) – In mid-2002, the APHA commissioned the nation’s leading independent economic researchers, Access Economics, to conduct a series of reports into Australia’s balanced public/private health care system. Released in October 2002, it is a comprehensive analysis of the Federal Government’s 30% private health insurance rebate.
  • Benchmarking Study of Liability Insurance (255kb PDF) – Trowbridge Deloitte Consulting undertook independent benchmarking research investigating the professional indemnity insurance crisis that has engulfed private hospitals. The findings were released in September 2002. This analysis was jointly commissioned by the APHA, Catholic Health Australia and Mayne Health.