It will campaign in defence of Medicare and public hospitals up until the next federal election. Other national health professional and consumer organisation are expected to join the coalition over the next few days. The National Coalition joins the growing chorus of protest over federal health policy and its formation follows weeks of stand-off between the Federal Health Minister, Michael Wooldridge, and State and Territory health ministers over the new Medicare Agreement, which provides funds for Australia's public hospitals. Following the collapse of yesterday's health ministers' Medicare Agreement talks, the Coalition will seek an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister, ahead of next week's premiers' conference, to support the States' and Territories' case for increased health funding. Health care should be available to all, irrespective of means.
Public hospitals are highly efficient and cost-effective.
Talk of means testing for access to them and a crisis in the public health system is largely coming from those motivated by financial interests. When you consider the needs of all the population, then there is no doubt they are best served by a strong public health system. This means providing adequate funding under the Medicare Agreement. The Coalition agrees with the State and Territory health ministers that a massive injection of funds is required. For a start the money being wasted on so-called private health insurance incentives should be redirected to public hospitals.