Saturday's Council of Australian Governments (COAG) confirmed that funding will be provided to support the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) work program until 2012.

The COAG communique noted NEHTA progress and the allocation of $218 million although supporting documents refer to funds totalling $108.9m over the 3 year period.

Continuance of NEHTA funding was part of a package of substantial measures aimed at reforming Australia's health and hospital system.

The package will increase Commonwealth funding for Australian Health Care Agreements to $64.4 billion over 5 years (an increase of $22.4 billion) including:
+ increased Specific Purpose Payments of $4.8 billion
+ funding of $1.7 billion for hospital and health reforms including workforce reform funding of $1.1 billion.

In addition the meeting agreed:
+ funding of $750 million in 2008/09 to support 1.9 million additional emergency department services, aimed at reducing pressure on hospitals
+ increased Australian Health Care Agreement indexation formula delivering 7.3% (up from 5.3%)

The full COAG communique is available at www.coag.gov.au/coag_meeting_outcomes/2008-11-29/index.cfm

Details of the Health package are available at www.coag.gov.au/coag_meeting_outcomes/2008-11-29/index.cfm#attachmenta