BALANCE MISSING IN LABOR GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO MEANS TEST PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE REBATE
The Gillard Government and the Greens have a plan to cut back the 30% rebate which people contributing to private health insurance can access now.
According to local MP Philip Ruddock, ‘the potential impact of this plan needs to be understood ‘.
‘There needs to be a good balance between the public and private health systems and this plan threatens to wreak havoc’.
The Government first stated it intended to pull out $1.9 billion over four years by means testing, but projections now say the figure could be something like $3.4 billlion.
‘About half the population of this nation, some 10 million people, currently have private health insurance.’
‘If the rebate is diminished, this will have drastic implications. For example, Medibank Private – a not-for-profit government owned operation – has revealed that 37,000 of their members will drop their membership if these changes go ahead.’
‘Just think about what this means. Not only will premiums have to increase significantly for those who remain insured, but our public hospital system will have to struggle even harder to cope with people seeking treatment.’
Mr Ruddock urged ‘vigilance’ as this plan unfolds. ‘I encourage everyone to make their feelings known on this matter. Contact me with your comments and concerns and I will see that they are passed on to the Government. We need you to join with the Coalition in opposing these changes.’