Aged care anger builds over lack of action on subsidies
Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) is calling on all political parties to commit to an immediate increase in aged care subsidies.
ACSA chief executive officer, Greg Mundy, said residential and community care providers in the not-for-profit and faith-based sector are at a loss to understand why the Government has ignored their pleas for a lift in the subsidy.
“Our open letter to then Prime Minister Rudd in June stressed that older people were being let down by the lack of funding,” Mr Mundy said.
“We explained that this year’s increase of 1.7% was not enough to cover basic costs, evidenced by the 2.9% rise in the cost of living among other indicators.”
Mr Mundy said the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, responded on the Prime Minister’s behalf, and outlined the Government’s investment in aged care and its program of reforms.
“However, the Minister failed to acknowledge the impact the very real current funding shortfall is having on older people right now.”
The Government must bridge the gap by restoring an additional 1.75% for residential care, extended to community care, to ensure services and support for older people can be maintained, he said.
“This interim measure will help sustain services and therefore older people, until significant reforms can be undertaken following the Productivity Commission inquiry into aged care.
“This issue along with improved choice and better access as part of a properly funded and regulated system will feature strongly in our conversations with MPs in the lead up to the Federal election.
“Aged care providers will continue to lobby local members and candidates to seek action on this issue.”
