Recent rural health research co-authored by Jodie Bailie is shining a light on why people with disability continue to face barriers when trying to see medical specialists in Australia. Published in the Australian Economic Review, the article explores how cost, waiting times and system design combine to limit access to care, even within a health system built on fairness.
Titled Specialist Affordability and Access for People With Disability, the paper brings together evidence from existing research, policy documents and linked administrative data to map where inequities are happening and why they persist. While Medicare aims to support equitable access, the findings show that people with disability are more likely to wait longer for appointments, pay higher out of pocket fees and navigate more complex referral pathways.
The research highlights several structural issues driving these gaps. Specialists are unevenly distributed across the country, creating additional challenges for people living outside major cities. Fees vary widely and are often unpredictable, making care harder to afford for people already managing lower incomes. Fragmented referral systems and limited care coordination can also delay treatment or stop it altogether.
A major concern identified in the paper is the lack of national data on specialist wait times. Without consistent monitoring, it is difficult for policymakers to see where inequities are greatest or measure whether reforms are working. The authors point to emerging linked data assets as a way forward, offering new opportunities to track access and affordability more accurately.
The article calls for practical policy action, including better wait time reporting, greater fee transparency, targeted incentives to support equitable care and stronger navigation support for patients. Together, these changes could help bring Australia closer to its commitments to accessible healthcare for all.
