The Federal Budget unveiled last night stated it will set up a “new Aged Care Taskforce” to review the funding of aged care, including “contribution arrangements that will support a sustainable system”.
The Weekly SOURCE’s Plan B, which has been relayed to the sector, seeks to establish co-contributions for aged care and ensure that those who can afford to pay more contribute to the cost of their accommodation and everyday living, while enshrining their universal right to care and supporting those older Australians without the financial means.
The Federal Government, which in February commissioned political consultants Kantar Public Australia to look into consumer co-contributions to the cost of aged care, has now taken another step towards Plan B.
StewartBrown Senior Partner Grant Corderoy, who has been working with Treasury in Canberra, told The Weekly SOURCE this morning that the focus of the new aged care taskforce – contributions – is a “subtle but significant political action”.
“The fact that contributions is now on the public agenda is good, it is alerting the community to the idea. We are talking about asking people that can afford it to pay more for accommodation and service fees. We are not seeking people to have to pay for their care, that is the job of the taxpayer.”
Grant said the 17.6% rise in the AN-ACC price, which funds the care that people in residential facilities receive, will cover both the pay rises and indexation.
However, he added the Budget did nothing to improve the sustainability of aged care homes as we reported last week.
