Insurance scheme pivotal for future
21 June 2010
For too long people with disabilities have not had an automatic entitlement to support.
There is no system which provides universal cover for disability services like the Australia-wide Medicare scheme, which entitles everyone to basic health cover.
Funding to provide disability support services is for the most part a rationed system as there is not enough money to respond adequately to each person. This in turn creates a crisis driven system.
Karingal and many disability service providers across the country are giving support to a reform idea the sector is calling the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The Productivity Commission is currently in the midst of an inquiry which will examine the costs, benefits and feasibility of a no-fault insurance scheme to support people with disabilities and their families. The report will be handed down in July next year.
I believe an NDIS would be better planned, fairer, more effective and efficient than the current system.
The scheme would be person-centred and aim to provide the supports that would produce the best long-term outcomes.
For these reasons, Karingal is committed to actively campaigning and will be dedicating resources to the formation of the scheme. We will also be contributing to a submission for the Productivity Commission’s inquiry.
In the coming months we will be communicating with people involved with Karingal about ways they can support and contribute to this campaign.
We think the time has come to introduce a fairer and more effective system that will serve people with disabilities, their families and carers for the future.
For more information about the NDIS visit www.ndis.org.au
Daryl Starkey
Chief Executive Officer