Fewer Australians May Require NDIS Support with Increased Mental Health Funding, Advocates Say
The National disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) couldโข see reduced demandโ if the federal government considerably increased investmentโ in โmental health support services, according to experts. The โคcall comes as negotiations continue between the โcommonwealth adn states regarding NDIS reforms and public hospital funding.
The NDIS has facedโค increasing scrutiny and negative press, โฃa shift from the initial optimism surrounding the scheme’s launch. โNSW Premier โฃChris Minns recently cautioned the federal government, warning ofโค a “rude shock” if statesโ are expected to agreeโข to NDIS changes withoutโฃ a concurrent agreement on โขpublic hospital โfunding.
A spokesperson for Federal Health Minister Mark Butler stated that all health ministers agreed at a June meeting to โขprioritize psychosocial care within the future national agreement. “negotiations have re-commenced to โfinalise โthe December โข2023 national cabinet deal on hospitalโ funding and NDIS reforms, and we want to see it finalised by the end of โฃthe year,” the spokesperson saeid.
The Commonwealth is currently investingโข approximatelyโ $7.7 billion โthisโฃ financial year in mental health and suicide prevention, and asserts itsโ commitment to reforming the mental health โsystem to ensure access to care for all Australians.
“the Albanese Labor government is reforming โtheโค mental health system so that everyone can get the mental health care and support they need,” the spokesperson added.