Kevin Rudd Launches Multi-Billion Dollar DisabilityCare Insurance Scheme in Australia

The new Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd has announced the launching of DisabilityCare Australia. The multi-billion dollar national disability insurance scheme promises disabled Australians freedom and choice in their care.

The DisabilityCare Australia was launched in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. Around 26,000 Australians stand to benefit from the national insurance scheme. PM Kevin Rudd says the scheme is only a part of Australia's sense of community and camaraderie.

Rudd says Australia is a nation with "hard heads" and open hearts. The prime minister who replaced Julia Gillard as leader of Australian Labor party said although there is a need to strengthen the economy, it is also essential to have an open heart to all Australians.

DisabilityCare Australia is jointly-supported by state and Commonwealth governments. The increase in Medicare also generates funds for the national insurance scheme.

It is a new start for people suffering from permanent disabilities according to blind advocate Catherine Mahony. She believes the new national insurance scheme will turned disabled people to passive recipients of care to full and active Australians enjoying the same healthcare rights as every other citizen.

DisabilityCare is expected to become fully operational in 2019. By that time, almost half of Australia will be covered by the insurance scheme.

The chairman for the national insurance program Bruce Bonyhady said that NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria will help inform people how the scheme will be implemented in the coming years until 2019.

Bonyhady says its only about added funding but DisabilityCare aims to become an effective way to support people with disabilities.

The disabled will be able to break free from their dependent lifestyle and move on to have different kinds of opportunities that other people seem to take for granted. Every Australian Counts representative John Della Bosca says it is all about the basic right to freedom.

The national insurance scheme will also cover about 10 per cent of Australians with mental disorders. DisabilityCare is welcome news to Frank Quinlan from the Mental Health Council of Australia since the new scheme will provide crucial care for the mentally ill and receive intensive care.