Changes in hospital admission rates and costs in New South Wales (NSW) between 1996-97 and 2000-01 were examined by age, hospital type and socioeconomic status. A novel method led to a more accurate assessment of hospital patients' socio-economic status than was previously possible. Use of unit...

Finding ways of curbing government expenditure on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) while maintaining social equity and access to 'essential' medicines is at the centre of ongoing public debate. This article describes a microsimulation model of the PBS that simulates current and future...