SA: Brown says states short changed by federal hospital funding

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-1999
SA: Brown says states short changed by federal hospital funding

The South Australian government says says the federal government has short changed
Australia's public hospitals by $345 million with its latest decision on funding.

Human Services Minister DEAN BROWN says the federal government's announcement of an
extra $655 million up to 2003, ignored an independent arbiter's decision on what the funding
indexation figure should be.

Mr BROWN says the arbiter decided the adjustment should be $1 billion Australia-wide
over four years.

He says even though the federal government appointed the arbiter, they're now rejecting
the umpire's decision by allocating $345 million less than they should.

Mr BROWN says the shortfall will mean South Australia will get $3.5 million less this
year from the federal government than the independent arbiter said it should receive.

Federal Health Minister MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE has announced South Australian hospitals
will receive an extra $57 million over the next four years.

AAP RTV sn/rcg/smf

KEYWORD: HOSPITAL FUNDING SA (ADELAIDE)

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