p>A coalition of eleven peak organisations from the health and community sectors has today backed Labor’s warning that hundreds of crucial health programs tackling drug and alcohol abuse, chronic disease, communicable diseases and rural health issues are in crisis because of the Abbott Government’s failure to confirm funding.
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A coalition of eleven peak organisations from the health and community sectors has today backed Labor’s warning that hundreds of crucial health programs tackling drug and alcohol abuse, chronic disease, communicable diseases and rural health issues are in crisis because of the Abbott Government’s failure to confirm funding.
The Abbott Government slashed $197 million from the Health Department’s Flexible Funding program in the 2014 Budget.
Now, just weeks before funding expires for hundreds of programs that provide vital health services to thousands of patients across the country, the Government has refused to advise them of what, if any, funding they will receive from 1 July.
This mirrors the Abbott Government’s botched handling of mental health programs and services, many of which are also not funded beyond June 30.
These organisations representing agencies running crucial public health programs such as indigenous and rural health, alcohol and drug abuse and anti-smoking have warned the $197m in cuts will reduce crucial health services.
Minister Ley must immediately end the uncertainty by making an announcement on funding, and explaining how demand will be met for services following the $197 million cut.
The flexible funding debacle is yet another example of the chaos and confusion which is a hallmark of this government’s health policy.
This is a government which came to power promising “no cuts to health” and “no new taxes” and then slashed $57 billion out of public hospitals as it persists with plans to slug patients with a 4th version of its disastrous GP Tax.
Australians deserve better than a government which only ever sees health as a source of Budget cuts, and cannot even tell community groups and health organisations if they will even be funded in three months’ time.
The 11 Flexible Funds cut in the 2014 Budget
• Chronic Disease Prevention and Service Improvement Fund
• Communicable Disease Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund
• Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund
• Substance Misuse Service Delivery Grants Fund
• Health Social Surveys Fund
• Single Point of Contact for Health Information, Advice and Counselling Fund
• Practice Incentives for General Practices Fund
• Rural Health Outreach Fund
• Health System Capacity Development Fund
• Health Surveillance Fund
• Health Protection Fund