Medicare and Centrelink are to be Merged. Health Information Said Not to Be Involved.

The following, as a result of a National Press Club Speech today, was reported a few hours ago.

Medicare, Centrelink to be merged

By Online parliamentary correspondent Emma Rodgers

Agencies that have direct contact with the public, such as Medicare and Centrelink, will be merged into a "one-stop" shop under changes to the sector announced by the Government today.

In a major overhaul to the way health rebates and welfare payments are delivered, the Government will begin establishing offices around the country that will incorporate Medicare, Centrelink, the Child Support Agency and disability service organisation CRS Australia under the one roof.

Medicare and Centrelink will also be moved into the Human Services portfolio.

Announcing the reforms at the National Press Club today, Human Services Minister Chris Bowen said the changes will improve service delivery and reduce bureaucratic processes and duplication.

"The time has come to reassess whether we, the Government and the nation, are getting enough out of the Department of Human Services," he said.

"There is not enough coordination between our service delivery agencies.

.....

Mr Bowen has also been quick to reassure people that the changes are not about the collection of personal information in one central location.

"It is not a central database," he said.

"We will not house an individual's personal, sensitive information in one place, vesting all control with one body or one card."

The Department will work with the Privacy Commissioner over the reforms and Mr Bowen says health information will not be included in the shake up.

.....

Read the full report here:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/16/2773480.htm

If ever there was a set of changes where the devil will be in the detail this is it! Inevitably in a merged organisation there will be information flows that no one is aware of – some of which may, or may not, be seen as appropriate by those who are subjects of that information

I am sure these changes will suit some, but I wonder just how those with some of the more stigmatizing health issues will feel about Centre link employees also being in the same loop. Time will tell I guess.

David.