Fed: Crean urges PM to negotiate health deal

00-00-0000
Fed: Crean urges PM to negotiate health deal

Opposition leader SIMON CREAN is urging the prime minister to put health on the agendaof Friday's premiers' meeting and negotiate a deal with the states.

The states have until August 31 to accept a federal government deal to boost healthfunding by $10 billion to a total package of $42 billion.

But the states have to match the increase in funds and if they don't sign up by Sunday,penalties kick in.

Mr CREAN says Health Minister KAY PATTERSON has failed to negotiate with the statesand Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD should take control.

He told radio 2GB that the health minister won't turn up to negotiations and the healthcrisis can't be solved unless there's negotiations.

Mr CREAN says the prime minister is meeting all the premiers and the premiers wantto talk health.

But he says the prime minister won't put it on the agenda.

AAP RTV sal/jas

KEYWORD: HEALTH CREAN (CANBERRA)