Fed: Howard offers states $10b extra for health over 5 years
Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has announced an extra $10 billion over five years for thestates and territories in an attempt to end argument over new health funding agreements.
If the states meet conditions imposed by the commonwealth, the total funding will be $42 billion.
Mr HOWARD says he'll write to the states about the offer, while Health Minister KAYPATTERSON is to convene a meeting of all health ministers to discuss the new agreement.
The meeting is expected to be on May 2.
Labor has dismissed the offer as merely continuing existing arrangements.
It criticises Mr HOWARD for failing to end cost-shifting between the commonwealth andthe states and territories.
State and federal governments have been at loggerheads over the agreements, which expirein June, for most of the year.
AAP RTV dep/jg/sco
KEYWORD: HEALTH (CANBERRA)
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