Fed: Gov't urges patience on health system reforms=2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2009
Fed: Gov't urges patience on health system reforms=2

It was disappointing such a critical issue was being given more of the silent treatment,
Australian Healthcare Reform Alliance founder John Dwyer said.

Australia was suffering under a healthcare system that divided responsibility among
the states and the commonwealth - the only OECD country to do so, he said.

"We have got to get rid of that system and bring our healthcare system under one set
of brains, with one pot of money," he told ABC Radio, backing the idea of a healthcare
commission to meld management of hospitals, community and primary care.

But he rejected the idea of a federal takeover as implausible because the commonwealth
had "zero experience".

AAP cj/rl/maur

KEYWORD: HEALTH 2 CANBERRA (REOPENS)

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