Advocates welcome new aged care reform bills

The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 also includes measures to monitor aged care costs and what providers are spending money on.

Home Care fees are being targeted with a cap on how much can be charged for administration and management.

The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022 contains nine measures for urgent reforms to the aged care system, and responds to 17 recommendations of the commission's final report.

The bill provides a framework for a new funding model to replace the outdated Aged Care Funding Instrument in October 2022; and extends the functions of the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority, affecting price setting for aged care homes.

A star ratings system, will see the publication of comparison ratings for all residential aged care services by the end of 2022; and there will be an extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme to all in home care providers from December 1, 2022, covering preventable incidents of abuse and neglect.

"The introduction of this legislation is the first step towards delivering new funding, more staff and better support to the sector, while improving transparency and accountability," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said,"24/7 registered nurses in residential aged care is a significant and much needed change to ensure high quality care for older Australians. This will be supported by the initiatives we have in place to grow and boost the skills of aged care nurses.

"Publishing Star Rating for residential aged care homes will help people meaningfully compare services to make the right choice for themselves or their loved ones."

The bills have been welcomed by advocates.

The Older Persons Advocacy Network said the Implementing Care Reform and Royal Commission Response Bills represented a watershed moment for older people and their families.

OPAN's Manager of Policy and Systemic Advocacy, Samantha Edmonds said the legislation will work to ensure the right level of care for older people.

"Many older people have increasingly complex health issues and comorbidities when they enter residential care," Ms Edmonds said.

"Having the right level of clinical skill to provide support 24 hours a day is essential. We know health-related incidents don't always occur during the day."

OPAN also welcomed the government's other reform measures, such as the cap on management and administrative fees and the block on exit fees for people who access home care.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia said the introduction of two aged care reform bills on the first business day of the 47th parliament was unprecedented and indicates a welcome priority for aged care reform.

"These bills are crucial steps in a reform process that when fully implemented will ensure Australia will finally enjoy the quality aged care system all older Australians deserve," said chief executive Ian Yates.

He said COTA wanted to see the two bills dealt with as a priority by Parliament.

"This is about the right of older people to receive quality care, adequately funded services, strong consumer protections and transparency - we can't afford to wait any longer," Mr Yates said.

Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) also welcomed the legislation saying they showed the government recognised that fixing aged care was a key priority.

"We look forward to working through the implementation detail particularly regarding the level of transparency around the Independent Pricing Authority and the rigor of the methodology for the star ratings," said Interim chief executive Paul Sadler.

More than 50,000 additional self-funded retirees will become eligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card from September 20 (also the date of the twice years CPI pension rise).

Pending the passage of legislation, income limits will increase from $57,761 to $90,000 (singles), $92,416 to $144,000 (couples combined).

The card provides cheaper prescription medicines plus other federal health benefits; and state and local government cconcessions.