media releases

“The Opposition’s rejection of changes to the Private Health Insurance (PHI) rebate is a sad confirmation that neither of the major political parties accept that this $3 billion per year subsidy of the private health industry is both inequitable and inefficient,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

“The rich are being asked by the Rudd Government to pay for the luxury of a short waiting time for surgery or for their private maternity services,” said Dr Woodruff. “How can Mr Turnbull object to that when over half of all Australians must wait for the underfunded public system for their care?”

“But whilst the Rudd Government has announced changes to the PHI rebate, it will do little more than save $500 million per year,” said Dr Woodruff. “It will not affect the growth of the private hospital sector which is dragging specialists out of the under-resourced public sector. Nor will these savings be earmarked to rebuild and properly finance the struggling public sector.”

“So the majority of Australians, the 56% of Australians who can’t afford PHI, will continue to be ignored by both major parties as both parties commit to private affluence and public squalor.”

“As for raising revenue from increasing tax on cigarettes by 3 cents; if it reduces smoking it won’t raise revenue, if it doesn’t then it’s simply a tax on people with an addiction; hardly a health measure.”

Dr Tim Woodruff
President
Doctors Reform Society

Dr Con Costa
Vice President
Doctors Reform Society

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