South Australia signs $7.8bn hospital deal
Incentives for public hospitals to treat private patients will be axed under a record funding deal with the federal government, hailed as win for vulnerable people needing urgent care.
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South Australia has signed a record $7.8 billion deal with the federal government to lock in extra hospital funding for five years.
It will boost SA’s current hospital funding by $1.3 billion, ensuring more cash for doctors, nurses and services.
The landmark deal will also axe incentives for public hospitals to treat private patients.
“Our hope is that patients in public hospital Emergency Departments are no longer coerced or harassed into handing over their private health insurance details when they are vulnerable and in need of urgent treatment,” Australian Private Hospitals Association chief executive Michael Roff said.
Immunotherapy cancer treatments will be free for a small number of very sick patients, with states and the Commonwealth jointly covering the costs.
States will also have more flexibility to use federal funds on different care models, such as at-home services like stroke rehabilitation.
State Health Minister Stephen Wade said it would support the state government’s health reforms such as its ‘hospital in the home’ program.
“These reforms which will be vital in moving to the ‘new normal’ of a post-COVID world,” he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the deal guaranteed no jurisdiction would be left worse off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The hospital funding deal was signed at National Cabinet on Friday as political leaders agreed to permanently change how they collaborate to run the country in the wake of coronavirus.
The almost 30-year-old Council of Australian Governments (COAG) model will be scrapped in favour of Mr Morrison and state leaders holding virtual talks every month and a face-to-face meeting twice a year.
“National Cabinet will be driven by a singular agenda and that is to create jobs,” he said.
