From Rationing to Rights: Creating a Universal Entitlement to Aged Care

摘要

This article presents an argument for creating a universal entitlement to aged care. Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, significant reform of Australia's aged care system is needed. The current policy of rationing care must end, because it leaves too many older Australians without the level of care they need. It should be replaced with an aged care system that is underpinned by an objective to support the rights of older Australians, including their right to independently assessed, government funded, reasonable and necessary needs-based care. This more equitable approach will require a massive boost in government spending to ensure all older Australians get the care and support they need, when they need it.