David Penington, a senior fellow at Melbourne's Grattan Institute who initially backed the deal Kevin Rudd struck with the states, said yesterday he was "appalled at the lack of any agreement on governance that differs from the status quo", and had little faith any real change would be forthcoming from the reforms.

He also deplored the fact there was no commitment to the key issue of "a vastly better interface" between the hospital sector and primary care, or aged care and mental health - "all issues of critical importance for the longer term".

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/former-ally-david-penington-savages-kevin-rudds-status-quo-health-reforms/story-e6frgczf-1225859644876

Given the collapse of just about every policy Labor has tried to implement, Rudd was desperate for a win. The health reform was a shining beacon that could provide some evidence that Labor could make changes in the areas that people cared about.

However, the difference from what was proposed to what was agreed at COAG is enormous.

Firstly Rudd had to throw so much money at the states that he has threatened to blow out the budget, and has had to ditch other projects such as the ETS,

Secondly, Rudd had to compromise so much on the control of the funding, that the efficiencies have been discarded, and the reality on the ground is that the control of health is not significantly different from what it was before, and the only benefit patients will see on the ground is the extra money Rudd has thrown at health, which could have occurred without the "reform"

Finally, Rudd has failed to get consensus, which is a key requirement for COAG agreements. His proposal to override or bypass WA is likely to meet stiff resistance in the senate, especially if he tries to withhold the extra funding from WA.

My cynical gut feel is that this is a pre election publicity stunt by Labor at tax payers' expense.

Shadow Minister, Yup !

Dear Shadow Minister,

I received this email on the subject
from a friend that
you and others may enjoy:

"The Australian Medical Association has weighed in
on the new Rudd Health Care Proposals...

The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the
Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
The Gastrpenterologists had a sort of gut feeling
about it, but the Neurologists thought the
Administration had a lot of nerve.

The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under
a misconception. Opthalmologists considered the idea
shortsighted. Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!"
while the Pediatricians said, "Oh, Grow Up!"

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness,
while the Radiologists could see right through it.

Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow,
and the PLastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new
face on the matter."

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the
Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea.
The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas,
and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart of say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire
decision up to all the assholes (sorry - politicians)
in Canberra."

Foxy

Loved it.

Foxy

"I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!"

Brilliant.

Bravo Foxy,

Well said.