Long-term viability through reform
A peak umbrella organisation representing the aged care industry has called on the federal government to respond to the Productivity Commission Report Caring for Older Australians in the 2012-13 Budget. Aged Care Industry Council (ACIS) made the call late last week, requesting the government honour its commitment to reform.
A peak umbrella organisation representing the aged care industry has called on the federal government to respond to the Productivity Commission Report Caring for Older Australians in the 2012-13 Budget.
Aged Care Industry Council (ACIS) made the call late last week, requesting the government honour its commitment to reform.
Aged Care Association Australia chief executive, Rod Young, said the council expected to see reform in the 2012 Budget by announcing a timetable for the phased implementation of an aged care system based on “individual care entitlements and consumer choice of services, consistent with the reforms in the Productivity Commission’s Report”.
“As a short-term measure, pending completion of an independent cost for care study, the residential and community care subsidies for 2012-13 will be increased by the equivalent of the Consumer Price Index,” Mr Young said.
Acting Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) chief executive, Rob Hankins, agreed it was “essential” the 2012 Budget commence the process to gradually increase the accommodation supplement for supported residents, and allow providers to set market-based accommodation prices for all non-supported residents, with “flexibility for residents to pay by periodic payment or fully refundable bonds”.
A copy of the full Budget submission can be found by clicking here.
