Guest Editorial: Tackling health inequalities: Balancing universal and targeted approaches

Abstract

In 1998–99 expenditure on health services in NSW was estimated at A$17.6 billion. This is made up of contributions by the Commonwealth (A$8.3 billion), State and Local Governments (A$4 billion) and payments through medical benefits funds, personal contributions, and insurance claims, etc. (A$5.3 billion). Many tens of thousands of people work in the health system and in the course of 12 months most people will have had contact with the health system.