Federal Cabinet has formally approved the establishment of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission.

The Commission will provide an interim
report on a long-term health reform plan to the Commonwealth Government
by the end of 2008, and a final plan in mid 2009.

Issues for the Commission include:

• The rapidly increasing burden of chronic disease;
• The ageing of the population;
• Rising health costs; and
• Inefficiencies exacerbated by cost shifting and the blame game.

The Commission will focus on health financing, maximising a
productive relationship between public and private sectors, and
improving rural health.