Ms. Mettam questions the adequacy of the 1.4% increase to the net cost of health services in the 2021-22 budget, citing a struggling health system and the anticipated impact of COVID-19. The Minister responds that the total increase is 4% and addresses COVID-19 challenges.

AnsweredQoN 511Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 September 2021
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

HEALTH — 2021–22 STATE BUDGET —
TOTAL COST OF SERVICES
511. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Health:
I
have a supplementary question. Why does the minister expect to have such a token
increase to the net cost of services for health of just 1.4 per cent,
given we have a health system that is on its knees, and that we inevitably have
to prepare for the influx of COVID-19, if and when it happens?

AnswerView source ↗

There is a four per cent increase in
the total cost of services. That is the important figure that people should be
focusing on. Obviously, that takes into account the challenges related to
COVID-19. As the Premier has also said in
his presentation, further funds are being held in provisional accounts to
understand how the challenges associated with COVID-19 will unfold going
forward. What members will not see is this government shy away from its
responsibility to make sure that we fund healthcare services in Western Australia
at the absolute important level so that we can continue to put patients first.

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