Aged care policy blueprint 2020

The last major reform of residential aged care policy occurred in 1997. The benefit of those reforms has now been exhausted. The first major reforms of aged care policy occurred under the Hawke Keating Government. CHA considers that it is time for the next major reforms to be implemented and that it would be appropriate for these to occur under a Rudd Government.  This policy blueprint is the outcome of a consultation with members of Catholic Health Australia (CHA). One in nine residential aged care beds in Australia is provided through services operated by different bodies of the Catholic Church. CHA, as the peak body for these residential and home care services, speaks on behalf of the largest grouping of aged care services in the Australia. CHA adopted in July of 2008 a new vision for aged care which it seeks to see achieved by 2020. This vision is of equity of access to aged care services for all Australians, with a preference for those living in socioeconomic disadvantage. &nbsp