News
Fair Deal On Health Funding Is Needed |
| Spokesperson: | Nicola Roxon - Shadow Minister for Health |
| Date: | Monday, 25 June 2007 |
| Category: | Health Funding |
| Labor’s Shadow Minister for Health Nicola Roxon today welcomed the release of the report from State and Territory health ministers, Caring for our Health? This report is clear evidence that the Howard Government has dropped the ball on funding their share of public hospital care. The Report shows that the Commonwealth’s share of funding for public hospitals has dropped to 45 per cent (from 50% in 2000). You can’t cut your share of funding to hospitals and then blame the States (or nurses, as Tony Abbott does) for the inevitable problems that this creates. Federal Labor wants to end the blame game between over health funding. Federal Labor is committed to a fair deal with the States and Territories on health funding – for hospitals and other health services. When the next round of Australian Health Care Agreements are negotiated Labor will treat the States and Territories as partners in delivering health care to the community – not adopt the Howard Government “take it or leave it” approach that marred the last agreement in 2003. Tony Abbott likes to say his Government’s economic credentials make a better health system possible, but this report shows just how hollow his words are. Working families are getting hit for six on health costs by the Howard Government: (1) The Commonwealth’s share of funding for public hospitals is declining (2) $100 million was ripped out of dental care in 1997 and never restored (3) The out-of-pocket cost of visiting the doctor has more than doubled since 1996 (4) GP bulk-billing rates are still below where they were under Labor 11 years ago (5) Private health insurance premiums have risen by 47% since 1999 (6) One in three Australians can’t get health care or dental care because they can’t afford it. Under Mr Howard and Mr Abbott, health care has become less affordable, less accessible and less able to cope with the health challenges of the future. Australia can no longer afford a Commonwealth Government intent on blaming others for its failures in health. We need a Government that recognises its responsibilities to work with the States and Territories to deliver the best health care possible for the whole community. For more information call Angela Pratt 0419 253 411 |
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