States are threatening to hold up a health deal and major NDIS reforms until the Albanese government stumps up billions more for hospitals, arguing a new report shows that up to one in 10 hospital bed days is occupied by people waiting to go into nursing homes or disability care. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, leading the charge on behalf of state treasurers whose budgets are struggling with the growing cost of running hospitals, released research from former federal Health Department head Stephen Duckett, who found extra pressure on health spending was coming from patients stranded in hospitals. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey is leading state treasurers’ campaign to make the federal government stump up more health funding. Credit: Steven SiewertTogether with inflation, workforce shortages and people’s more complex care needs, this contributed to a 12 per cent yearly increase in health costs, which was putting the states on the hook for more than three-quarters of the annual growth in hospital funding. Duckett, who has also served on federal government health reform taskforces, said this built the case for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health, Ageing and Disability Minister Mark Butler to increase their funding offer to the states while fixing the flow of patients into aged and disability care.