We Said this Already!!!
Prescriptions for health system are ripe for debate

* February 17, 2009

Primary health care reform is a vital first step in healing a sick system. WHEN it comes to their health, all Australians want the same thing: ready access to good, affordable treatment. Yet many don't get that and a tangled web of federal-state divisions of funding and responsibility is to blame. This is a key finding in a National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission interim report released yesterday.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd set up the commission with the goal of giving effect to Labor's campaign promise to "end the blame game" in health. His Government says it is willing to take over hospitals from the states if their performance does not improve. The report is wary of this option because it "potentially weakens community and electoral accountability and responsiveness" and faces logistical difficulties, despite potential efficiency gains and cost savings.

Go here to see the full story at the Age!