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As the world marks the International Day of Older Persons, this year’s UN theme of Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives highlights the need for a long term, whole-of-government plan for …
The latest Intergenerational Report reinforces the need for a long-term, whole-of-government action plan to make Australia a better place to grow older, COTA Australia says.
The report released by the Treasurer today shows Australians are expected to live longer, while also recognising the significant contribution older Australians continue to make to the economy and broader community.
The Federal Parliament must reject proposed private health insurance rebate changes or risk putting even greater pressure on millions of pensioners and Australia’s already stretched public health system, COTA Australia says.
New modelling showing almost half of the $3 billion cut to the private health insurance rebate will come directly from pensioners should prompt an urgent rethink of the Federal Government’s plans, COTA Australia says.
The Federal Government must urgently introduce consistent safeguards for automated decision-making, with aged care showing the risks of allowing technology to outpace protections, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia says. COTA Chief Executive, Patricia Sparrow, said the private members bill introduced by Independent MP Kate Chaney today shows what practical safeguards look like in legislation and should provide further momentum for the government to deliver its promised whole-of-government framework.
Axing the higher private health insurance rebate for older Australians risks hitting 1.2 million pensioners with higher costs and putting even greater pressure on already stretched public hospitals, COTA Australia says.
Revelations that 1.2 million pensioners will be directly affected by proposed changes to the private health insurance rebate are further evidence the changes need to be urgently reviewed, COTA Australia says.
Announcement that Commonwealth Home Support Program will be extented provides much-needed certainty, but the focus must now turn to ensuring the systems deliver for older Australians.
The increase to Age Pension payments from 20 September will provide welcome relief for millions of older Australians struggling with continued cost-of-living pressures, COTA Australia says.
Last night’s Four Corners report put a human face to the experiences of older Australians navigating the reformed aged care system and highlighted the need for further improvements to aged care assessments, wait times and funding, COTA Australia says.
Research conducted by COTA Australia found many older Australians are questioning whether they will be able to afford to keep their private health insurance if the Government proceeds with plans to abolish the higher private health insurance rebate for people over 65.
COTA Australia Chief Executive Officer Patricia Sparrow said research conducted by COTA Australia backed other research which shows that seniors are looking to drop their private health insurance cover if the Federal Government pushes ahead with its planned changes.