The Minister for Health has announced that the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments have entered a new health reform agreement which will see public hospitals across the country receive record funding for the next five years.
The Minister, Greg Hunt said the new 2020‑25 National Health Reform Agreement would deliver more doctors, more nurses and more services across public hospitals throughout the country.
“Overall, the Commonwealth will invest an estimated $131.4 billion in demand driven public hospital funding to improve health outcomes for all Australians and ensure the sustainability of our health system,” Mr Hunt said.
“[The] Government has provided a funding guarantee to all States and Territories to ensure no jurisdiction is left worse off as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic, and guarantees the Commonwealth’s funding contribution for public hospitals over the next five years,” he said.
He said the guarantee was critical to ensuring State and Territory Governments can continue to deliver safe and effective public hospital services for all Australians, especially when all Australian governments are working to respond to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Mr Hunt said the Agreement built on the collaboration between the Commonwealth, States and Territories in responding to COVID-19.
“New funding arrangements under the Agreement mean people with some of the rarest conditions will have better access to new innovative life-saving high-cost therapies in public hospitals around the country,” he said.
“Importantly, the Agreement strengthens all Governments’ commitment to ensuring equitable access to public hospitals for all Australians by removing incentives that can lead to the preferential treatment of private patients.”
He said the reforms aimed to make it easier to provide flexible, high-quality care that met the needs and preferences of Australians, and reduced pressure on hospitals.
