Dr Michael Holland has called on the federal government to match Labor's $25 million promise for the planned Eurobodalla regional hospital, as "a minimum".
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In the closing hours before the Tuesday, April 2, Federal Budget is delivered, the Moruya surgeon has called on the Morrison government to build on the NSW Government's $150 million commitment to the new hospital.
As part of the One Eurobodalla Hospital campaign, Dr Holland has been lobbying Coalition candidates for the coming federal election - but the refrain that hospitals are the responsibility of the states has not been music to his ears.
"I have had very little feedback from Coaliton candidates for Gilmore and Eden-Monaro," Dr Holland told the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner
"I have lobbied and met with (Liberal Party candidates) Warren Mundine and Fiona Kotvojs and corresponded with (National Party candidate) Katrina Hodgkinson, but we have had no opportunity to meet.
"They have forwarded my correspondence to the federal government and the Minister for Health and the deputy leader of the Nationals.
"The response I have received from Canberra is that they indicate that funding is the responsibility of the state government for the development of a new hospital."
He said it was indicated the Commonwealth had already provided funding for a range of health infrastructure projects in the Eurobodalla region. However, that included $160 million to the NSW Government for the Bega Valley Health Service for the construction of the South East Regional Hospital, which opened in 2016.
"They do not appreciate the Eurobodalla is not the Bega Valley," Dr Holland said.
However, he welcomed the federal Government's investment in health on the national level.
"The federal government has delivered $30 billion to hospital investment nationwide," he said.
"They have provided $10 b of pharmaceuticals under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and they have supported medical research to the amount of $20 billion and increasing mental health funding to about $4.7 billion.
"That is great news for the nation, but there is no promise of federal funding for capital projects, should the government be returned in the next election.
He called on the Morrison government to match Labor's commitment.
"One would expect that as a minimum," he said.
"That funding could then be used as captial funding towards a guarantee of a level 4 service in the Eurobodalla, which would include intensive care services, mental health services, paediatric services and the possibility of educational facilities towards the support of students and post graduate doctors, nurses and allied health professionals."
A federal election is expected in May and Dr Holland said he would continue to speak to candidates from both sides of politics.
