WEL believes that access to good public health services must be the basic right of all.
The choice to insure privately for extra services should be a real choice and should not
fed by fear of inadequate services in the public sector. WEL would therefore prefer to see
funding for the public sector as a priority and does not support the subsidization of
private health services where there are shortfalls in the public sphere. While we welcome
initiatives like improved immunization and other public and preventive health programs, we
are concerned that other areas of health may not be covered. The distribution of health
services in rural areas, including rehabilitation and access to sexual health and
fertility control advice and services are also important. We are also concerned that the
basic public health requirements of clean water, basic housing and plumbing and other
environmental issues are still not guaranteed for all Australians.