media releases

“The announcement by the Federal Government that the average private health insurance (PHI) premium will be only 3% this year means a gift of another $180 million in taxpayers’ money to the industry via the PHI rebate. This is despite clear evidence that it is grossly inefficient and offers a lousy product which is increasingly unattractive to the public,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society.

“Added to that is the fact that it offers choice at taxpayer expense only to those who can afford the premiums. That means that most Australians miss out”.

“Instead, the money supports those who can afford the premiums to queue jump public hospital waiting lists.  The government could try doing something for all Australians like supporting Australia’s existing, effective and efficient public insurance scheme called Medicare”.

Dr Woodruff asks “How good is that?”