LOCAL CONSTITUENTS CONCERNED ABOUT INTRODUCTION OF THE FAIRER PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE INCENTIVES BILL 2009 AND INCREASED HEALTH COSTS
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP said today this is another broken promise by the Rudd Government which will affect access to affordable healthcare for all constituents.
On 24 September 2007, the Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon stated:
“On many occasions for many months, Federal Labor has made it crystal clear that we are committed to retaining all of the existing Private Health Insurance rebates, including the 30 per cent general rebate and the 35 and 40 per cent rebates for older Australians. The Liberals continue to try to scare people into thinking Labor will take away the rebates. This is absolutely untrue.”
“As late as February 2009, in the lead up to the Budget, whilst modelling was being conducted and policy drafted, the Health Minister said, “the Government is firmly committed to retaining the existing private health insurance rebates,” Mr Ruddock said.
“The Rudd Government has clearly misled the Australian people on this very important issue. These changes will further increase health costs, including for the one million Australians with private health insurance who earn under $26,000 per annum.
“Increased premiums will drive many of the most vulnerable constituents into the already overstretched public system.
“This is poor health policy and the Coalition has consistently opposed it!
“The Coalition is committed to ensuring all Australians have affordable access to healthcare and whilst in Government, introduced the private health insurance rebates and as a result, private health insurance coverage increased from 34 per cent to 44 per cent during this period,” Philip Ruddock said.