media releases

SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE FINALLY CAPPED, BUT FOR THE WRONG REASONS

“It is welcome news for the majority of Australians that this government is finally capping the yearly increase in support for the minority of Australians who can afford private health insurance” said Dr Tracy Schrader, president, Doctors Reform Society

 “Every year since the PHI rebate was introduced the PHI industry has requested and been given an extra $200 million or so supposedly to keep up with inflation and keep premiums down. Every year premiums have risen. This has been a regular gift to the industry and the minority of Australians who can afford PHI. It has enabled them to queue jump the public hospital waiting lists and have their surgery almost immediately whilst their uninsured neighbours wait 1 or 2 years for the same life changing operations such as hip replacements.”

 “Finally the Federal Government has indicated that this yearly increase will be capped to inflation rather than increased at the request of the PHI industry,’ said Dr Schrader. “The disappointment is that this is only happening because of the Government obsession with a budget surplus which ignores the fact that we are one of the lowest taxed developed countries in the world.”

  “The money for a healthy health system is here in our rich country. Neither political party is interested.”

  

Dr Tracy Schrader    Dr Tim Woodruff  

President   Vice President      

Doctors Reform Society      Ph 0401042619

Ph 0408892610

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