Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/223013

Title

Australian health policy on access to medical care for refugees and asylum seekers

Author(s)

Correa-Velez, I.;  Gifford, S. M.;  Bice, S. J.

Abstract

Since the tightening of Australian policy for protection visa applicants began in the 1990s, access to health care has been increasingly restricted to asylum seekers on a range of different visa types. This paper summarises those legislative changes and discusses their implications for health policy relating to refugees and asylum seekers in Australia. Of particular concern are asylum seekers on Bridging Visas with no work rights and no access to Medicare. The paper examines several key questions: What is the current state of play, in terms of health screening and medical care policies, for asylum seekers and refugees? Relatedly, how has current policy changed from that of the past? How does Australia compare with other countries in relation to health policy for asylum seekers and refugees? These questions are addressed with the aim of providing a clear description of the current situation concerning Australian health policy on access to medical care for asylum seekers and refugees. Issues concerning lack of access to appropriate health care and related services are raised, ethical and practical issues are explored, and current policy gaps are investigated.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

Australia and New Zealand Health Policy, Vol. 2, no. 1 (2005)

Publication year

2005

FOR Code(s)

1117 Public Health and Health Services

Keyword(s)

Australia;  Health care access;  Health care policy;  Health service;  Human;  Immigration;  Law;  Mass screening;  Medical care;  Medical ethics;  Medicare;  Refugee;  Review

Publisher

BioMed Central

ISSN

1743-8462

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1743-8462-2-23

Copyright

Copyright © 2005 Correa-Velez et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Peer reviewed