Reported at www.theguardian.com: Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has called an urgent meeting with the CEOs of private hospitals and health insurers due to Healthscope, the second-largest private hospital operator, facing financial crisis and potential voluntary administration.

Healthscope, heavily burdened with over $1.6 billion in debt, has failed to pay rent on several hospitals and announced plans to cut maternity services.

The meeting aims to address payment issues from insurers to hospitals, as the benefits ratio has declined, and action is required within three months to ensure patient care access.