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February 26, 2008
Nicola Roxon, the federal Heath Minister, says the Commonwealth will not follow through with a two-year deadline to take over state hospitals across Australia if genuine reform can be delivered through negotiation.
We don't have any intention to take over the hospital system if we can get that sort of reform by negotiations with the states. Of course, the states want more money into the system and, of course, that is something we are prepared to consider. But we are not prepared to consider it as a blank cheque
Roxon warned that hospital funding is a “two way street”and that the new reform commission announced yesterday to develop long-term solutions to health funding was designed to end the blame game between the states. It was also designed to provide a blueprint for a health and hospital system capable of dealing with the challenges of the 21st century.
The Rudd Government has knocked back a recent move by the states--led by the NSW-- for more no-strings attached heath funding
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Gary,
the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission will have wide terms of reference and promises to consult exhaustively.
Will it have the policy nous to look beyond our public hospital system to the opportunities afforded in preventative healthcare, better IT systems, primary and acute care and rehabilitation. After all, Australia's biggest health challenges can't be solved by better hospitals - they're chronic and preventable diseases like diabetes, obesity and depression.