It was the 18th century philosopher Voltaire who once said; ‘“The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”

And, with the Federal Budget’s delivery in health funding of a record $115.5 billion in 2020–21- and $467 billion over the forward estimates-there’s more than enough to amuse ourselves with here at Think Business Futures.

It’s a lot of money, a dizzying amount, but what are the real stories behind that wall of zeroes?

Joining me today to pull apart the portfolio is Dr Stephen Duckett, Health Program Director at the Grattan Institute and former Departmental Secretary to the Australian Government Department of Human Services and Health from 1994 to 1996.