Federal Labor’s $2 Billion National Health and Hospitals Reform Plan
August 23, 2007

Bob Debus, Labor’s candidate for Macquarie, today welcomed Labor’s $2 billion National Health and Hospitals Reform Plan.

“This landmark announcement will guarantee the long-term future of health care in our local community - and in thousands of other communities around the country,” he said.

“As we all know, hospitals sometimes struggles to meet demand, with local health workers overworked and under stress. Often people in the Central West can't get the health care they need when they need it.

“Federal Labor believes we deserve more - that's why Kevin Rudd has announced that a Rudd Labor Government will invest $2 billion in a National Health and Hospitals Reform Plan.

“Those funds will be available for all our public hospitals and for improving our health system. That will help the people of the Central West get the health care they need and deserve.”

Because Labor also believes in the importance of preventative health care, a Rudd Labor Government will make available dedicated funds for investing in community-level non-hospital health services. Labor is investing in lasting improvements to re-equip our health system for the 21st century.
Federal Labor’s National Health Reform Plan will have two central elements:

1 $2 billion in investments to deliver improved health outcomes for patients in Australia’s health care and hospital system. The $2 billion will be invested in projects like:
- upgrades to elective surgery facilities to make sure more patients are seen
- providing medical care in the community, like outreach renal dialysis and chemotherapy services
- establishing general practice clinics which focus on improving chronic disease prevention
2 If State and Territory Governments have not begun implementing an agreed National Health Reform Plan by mid-2009, then a Rudd Labor Government will seek to take financial control of Australia’s 750 public hospitals

“I know that people are sick and tired of politicians passing the buck when it comes to health care and hospitals,” said Mr Debus.

“This announcement demonstrates that Federal Labor are serious about taking responsibility for improving Australia’s health and hospital system.”