The 48,700 residents in Wannon covered by private health insurance will be hard hit by Julia Gillard’s decision to break another promise and means test the rebate.
16 February 2012
The 48,700 residents in Wannon covered by private health insurance will be hard hit by Julia Gillard’s decision to break another promise and means test the rebate.
Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan, said every person in Wannon with private health insurance will pay more because of this legislation.
“As a result of this means test, it is estimated 1.6 million Australians will drop private hospital cover over the next five years and another 4.3 million Australians will downgrade their level of coverage. This will have a dramatic impact on the costs of everyone who remains in private health insurance. The loss of younger members is estimated to increase all premiums by 10 per cent.”
“The means test will see singles earning over $83,000 and families over $166,000 paying up to $1,000 more per year for their insurance.”
“The Government’s decision to means test private health insurance will also have a significant impact on the public hospital system.”
“It is estimated that 845,000 new procedures will be forced onto the public hospitals system putting further pressure on waiting lists.”
Speaking in Parliament this week on the legislation, Mr Tehan said it was clear that the Gillard Government had gone back on its word “to get the budget back into a state which could give some sort of credibility to the Labor government’s very poor efforts in managing the economy.”
Mr Tehan also noted that “the cost of living is biting; it is hitting hard. What is the government’s answer? To increase it even further. That is what this bill will do.”
Mr Tehan concluded that the Gillard Government was doing nothing more than “moving the cost of health care away from the Commonwealth and onto the states.”
Media Contact: Lisa Downs 03 5561 6405 or 0400 192 205
Copyright © 2010 : Authorised by Dan Tehan, 190 Gray St, Hamilton VIC 3300
Disclaimer | Privacy | Contact
Design by Tin Shed Creations
