The health care industry hopes for a new government that would listen.

Australian Association of Pathology Practices (AAPP) head Katherine McGrath said, “We can work with either party but we want a government that will consult and work constructively with industry.” The uncertainty in the election outcome, she said, indicates that who ever wins or runs the government should be open for consultations.

Health care cost have risen since the Labor government implemented cuts to to pathology spending in November 2009. The government under Prime Minister Julia Gillard also scrapped the cap on the number of collection centres. Key pathology provider Primary Health, for one, reported a $30 million loss in revenue for the year end of June 30 due to the funding cuts. Primary and other providers such as Sonic and Healthscope are expected to lobby for a review of the deregulation.

Pharmaceuticals are also set to raise a call for consultations. According to Alphapharm chief Martin Cross, he hopes the party that wins would have proper consultation on reform to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Cross pointed at the deal Labor struck with Medicines Australia (MA) for a $1.9 billion cut to the PBS. “Our concern is that consultation was only done with a select few,” he said. Generic drug makers Sigma Pharmaceuticals are not represented by MA. Cross emphasized that both would be at a disadvantage with the PBS cuts.