Australians enjoy among the highest life expectancies in the world, strong cancer survival rates and relatively low rates of avoidable death. That success is not accidental. It reflects decades of bipartisan support for a model where public and private healthcare work together rather than compete.
More than three million older Australians – including more than 400,000 pensioners with private health insurance – will be hit by the Albanese Government’s decision to cut private health insurance rebates for Australians aged over 65 in tonight’s Federal Budget.
Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) has warned the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the private health insurance rebate for older Australians could threaten the viability of dozens of private hospitals that regional communities rely on for essential healthcare.
Older Australians could be hit with health insurance price rises three times higher than younger Australians from April next year, with some retirees facing annual increases of more than $1,600, analysis from Private Healthcare Australia shows.
Health insurers are calling on the Government to exempt Australians aged over 65 on low incomes — including those on the Age Pension — from changes to the Private Health Insurance Rebate, warning the move could force vulnerable people to drop their cover.
The Government’s decision to cut the Private Health Insurance Rebate will disappoint thousands of older Australians, says Dr Rachel David, CEO of Private Healthcare Australia.
