Fed: Rudd says PM picking fight over one hospital

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2007
Fed: Rudd says PM picking fight over one hospital

Labor says JOHN HOWARD has picked a fight with one state government over one hospital
in one marginal electorate .. rather than seek to fix fundamental problems with the health
system.

KEVIN RUDD says people in the Tasmanian electorates of Braddon and Bass want to know
what will happen to other hospitals in their region .. and whether there's an overall
response to problems with the health system.

He's told ABC radio the commonwealth has withdrawn funds from its total investment
in public hospitals.





Last week the prime minister launched an unprecedented intervention in a state health
system .. by promising to fund a hospital under threat in the marginal Liberal-held electorate
of Braddon .. to the tune of 45 million dollars a year.

Mr RUDD won't say whether Labor will support the bail-out of Mersey Hospital .. until
it has more information.

AAP RTV mb/ibw/jmt

KEYWORD: STATES HOSPITALS RUDD (CANBERRA)

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