Statement from AIHW concerning recommendations attributed to it in the publication: Caring for Our H
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) wishes to clarify comments attributed to it in the recent publication from state and territory health ministers titled Caring for our Health?. The AIHW was not involved in the production or publication of this report.
Contrary to information contained in the report, the AIHW has not made any recommendations in regard to the appropriate level of funding of public hospital services. The AIHW's latest report on health expenditure is Health expenditure Australia 2004-05, which was issued in September 2006. That report found that the average rate of health inflation between 1994-95 and 2004-05 was 0.4% per year higher than the general level of inflation. It is incorrect to interpret this statement as a recommendation on funding levels.
The AIHW produces over 130 reports a year on Australia's health and welfare. Every two years the AIHW publishes Australia's health, a comprehensive statistical-based report on Australia's health. These reports are all available to the public and help inform decisions by policy makers.