Aged care funding a priority issue for Government and the community
AMA Position Statement on Funding of Residential Aged Care 2011
The AMA has released the AMA Position Statement on Funding of Residential Aged Care 2011.
AMA Vice President, Professor Geoffrey Dobb, said today that there is no doubt that the funding of residential aged care now and into the future in a fair and sustainable way is a complex and emotive challenge for the nation.
“It is the debate we have to have,” Professor Dobb said.
“Aged care, incorporating quality medical services, is integral to Australia’s health system and the community.
“It is essential that older Australians are able to access affordable and appropriately resourced residential aged care services when they require them. We must ensure that older Australians receive care in the most appropriate environment, avoiding unnecessary hospitalisations.
“The Government must make aged care policy a priority going into 2012, building on this year’s comprehensive report from the Productivity Commission.
“We note that the Business Council of Australia has also this week raised the need for urgent changes and long term planning in aged care.”
The AMA believes that the principles that should underpin any new aged care funding model are that it:
- Provides universal access for every Australian to the basic standard of residential aged care services according to their needs, regardless of their ability to pay;
- Spreads the costs for those who need longer than average residential aged care;
- Permits individuals to choose their provider and to pay for additional or higher quality services if they choose; and
- Provides certainty to residential aged care providers and is sustainable for future generations.
The AMA Position Statement on Funding of Residential Aged Care 2011 is on the AMA website at http://ama.com.au/node/7322
16 December 2011
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753
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