Eminent economist endorses aged care industry’s claim

Professor Warren Hogan who conducted a major $7 million review of aged care pricing for the Federal Government has endorsed the industry’s claims that it is under funded.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Ageing Population Summit in Brisbane, Professor Hogan said that the temporary additional funding provided in 2004 should be extended to 2011 and a new index developed to measure the increase in aged care costs.

Professor Hogan expressed disappointment that his recommendations had not been adopted in full by the Government in either its 2004 or its more recent 2007 response to his major report.

Professor Hogan also called for reform of the inadequate and inequitable system of user charging for accommodation in high care (nursing homes).

These are two of the central claims in the Aged Care Industry Council’s manifesto for the 2007 Federal Election.