A health reform plan for Abbott

Comments on Niki Savva “Abbott's plan shouldn't rot in closet”, 30/03/2010, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/abbotts-plan-shouldnt-rot-in-closet/story-e6frg6zo-1225847156302

I think Abbott should move beyond his old and shelved health plan before the last election.

Instead, he should propose to 100% takeover of public hospitals in NSW and QLD with a reduction in their GST allocation, and a plan to work cooperatively with the other States. Completely dissolve the State health bureaucratic layer for those two States and replace them by local boards and they are responsible for their local hospitals and the Commonwealth.

For the other States, make a change in healthcare funding from the Commonwealth and require the States to match or to fund in a certain ratio to the Commonwealth funding.

Treat the states differently and reduce the resistance of the States as a whole and isolate the most serious problematic States. It will send a signal to the other States as well.

In addition, there should be at least some new and increased health funding, using improved efficiency in operation from other areas of Commonwealth spending.

It should be fairly easy to plan and do.