Key Events
Kate Kelly
Cait Kelly estimates that there are more to it last night.
The Ministry of Health and the Department of Aged Care revealed in a Senate estimate last night that waiting time for home health packages increased by an average of six months, with the moderate priority application rising to 11 months.
First Assistant Secretary Thea Connolly, explain:
It is important to note that if a person is assigned a high priority package, they will receive the package within a month, but this means they are in the front of the queue, which can cause the mid-priority person on the waitlist to have to wait longer.
So, in terms of the level of demand we are seeing, this is unexpected. This is unprecedented.
The Home Care Packaging Plan was designed years ago and is the size I think was originally launched in less than 100,000 packages. Now that we have over 300,000 packages, the program is working to keep pace. It is not designed in this environment. That’s why support at home is really so critical.
The government said support at home will replace home care packages and short-term restoration care plans starting July 1, 2025.
The Senate estimates that more than half of the elderly care departments do not meet nursing requirements.
Kate Kelly
In Senate estimates last night, Mark Richardson, assistant secretary for housing care funding reform, said more than half of elderly care providers nationwide have not reached new care times.
In response to the Royal Aged Care Committee, the government stipulates that from 1 October 2024, providers must be 215 minutes per person per day. This includes 44 minutes of registered nurse care.
Answer a question about whether overreporting is concerned about Richardson said:
And 55% [of providers] I don’t think they’re meeting their care minute goals, and I don’t think there is a systematic overreport.
Although our Senate estimates were reposted last night, Elderly Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Liz Hefren-Webb said they receive about 10,000 complaints a year.
Speaking about the staffing level of the committee, she said:
We receive approximately 10,000 complaints per year and our goal is to resolve them within 60 days. Therefore, having sufficient staffing is essential to meet this deadline.
It also enables us to conduct a sufficient number of audits, residential aged care facilities, and family services.
Millions of health insurance premiums rise
Millions of Australians will pay more for private health insurance after approval of premiums, according to the Associated Press in Australia, and the increase is as low as possible after approval of insurance companies.
Health Secretary Mark Butler announced yesterday that the federal government has signed a 3.73% increase in industry premiums by 3.73%.
This is an increase in previous years, but less than the 6% jump that insurance companies hope.
Some have announced an increase in their increase, with insurance companies announcing an average growth of 5.79%.
Insurer CEO Ed Close said premiums were driven by hospital expenses, including increased wages and supplies, and renewal of contracts with private hospitals.
HBF announced an average premium increase of 2.8%.
Rachel David, Australia’s chief executive of private health care, said the increase “is low that health funds can achieve without severely squeezing private hospitals and other providers”.
Changes take effect in April.
Opposition health spokesman Anne Ruston said the upcoming growth was the highest in seven years, with policyholders having little time to shop before premiums rose.
welcome
Good morning, welcome to our live news blog. I am Martin Farrer There are some major breakthrough stories this morning Emily Wind intervention.
Millions of Australians will pay more for private health insurance after insurance companies approve premiums. Health Secretary Mark Butler announced yesterday that the federal government has signed a 3.73% increase in industry premiums, although insurance nibs say its average increase will be 5.79%. Opposition Health Spokesperson, Anne RustonThe upcoming growth is the highest in seven years, said. And more.
penny Amid the threat of the U.S. potentially starting a retreat from the region, a charm offensive was launched in the Pacific to make up for Australia’s soft power. In a 2025 foreign policy snapshot released today, the Foreign Secretary outlines a plan that requires her staff to review all projects in the Pacific and Southeast Asia funded by U.S. foreign aid, which have been funded by U.S. foreign aid. Donald Trump And still at the threat of being completely cut. And more.
Similarly, the Free Senator James Paterson On the Australian coast, China’s naval exercises are “provocative and aim to convey a message to Australia”. He also told ABC last night’s 7.30 that practice was “responsive”. after Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton The conflict occurred during the exercise, which seemed to surprise the authorities. More things happen as we try to get into who knows what and when and when to know this.
