pbs and ndis

• DEFINE pharmaceutical benefits scheme:

  program run by the Australian government that subsidises various essential prescription medicines for Australian citizens, permanent residents and visitors from selected countries
• PBS safety net:

  protects individuals and families from high costs of essential prescription medicines by significantly reducing subsidised costs of medicine once they reach a certain threshold for remaining the calendar year
• DEFINE national disability insurance scheme:

  insurance scheme that provides support and services to people born with or acquire a disability, their families, and their carers
• how does the PBS show sustainability?

  • Not every medication is listed on the PBS - would not be financially possible 
  • Some medicines treat conditions, whilst others prevent conditions
  • Both reduce the need for expensive hospital treatment - keeping cost of health system manageable
• how does the PBS show access?

  • As a result of reducing costs of various essential prescription medicines - PBS removes key barriers of income 
  • PBS available to all Australians, regardless of characteristics
• how does the PBS show funding?

  • Partially funded by the money collected through patient co-payments 
  • Government pays through taxes
• how does the PBS show equity?

  • PBS safety net assists individuals with high costs for prescription medicines by significantly reducing them once they reach the threshold
  • People who have to spend a lot of money are provided with extra financial support - preventing them from become financially disadvantaged
• how does the NDIS show sustainability?

  • Developed over 3 years - build up adequate funding over a sustained period rather than all at once
  • Assists individuals to gain employment -> more employed = more people earning taxable income = increases financial capacity of the government to fund programs 
  • It provides individualised plans to ensure that those who need it most receive the most. 
• how does the NDIS show access?

  • Enables participants to enjoy an ordinary life, involves supporting individuals to access mainstream support and services
• how does the NDIS show funding?

  • NDIS jointly funded by Federal and participating state and territory governments
• how does the NDIS show equity?

  • NDIS provides individuals and carers with the necessary support based on a person’s specific needs
  • Addresses a person’s barrier to living an ordinary life
  • Not based on someone’s income level - support isn’t dependent on how much someone earns, rather, the level of disability and subsequent support required.