5 years ago
MINISTER MISLEADS ON PHI PREMIUMS
CHRIS BOWEN MP
This morning on Insiders, Minister Hunt bizarrely claimed that the Government has reduced private health insurance premiums by 40 per cent.
Even by the loose with the truth standards of the Morrison Government, this one is a howler.
According to the Minister’s own departmental data, private health insurance premiums have risen by 30 per cent since 2013.
That means private health insurance is 30 per cent more expensive now than it was when the Liberals came to office.
Last week in Senate Estimates, senior officials confirmed that private health insurance premiums have never been higher than they are under this Government.
This Government is sitting on its hands when it comes to soaring premiums and record out of pocket costs and waiting times.
The Minister claims he’s accomplished the “most significant reforms to private health insurance in over a decade” but even just this week’s evidence shows these reforms aren’t working anywhere near well enough.
This week alone Greg Hunt has ignored calls from the AMA president and CHOICE for a root and branch review into the private health insurance system.
This morning, the Minister also sledged one of Australia’s leading health economists for daring suggest that private health insurance needs reform.
He should spend less time criticising experts, and more time listening to what they actually have to say. He should be coming up with a plan for private health insurance.
The only way to address the private health insurance crisis is with a root and branch review of the system.
The time for a review into private health insurance is now.
Even by the loose with the truth standards of the Morrison Government, this one is a howler.
According to the Minister’s own departmental data, private health insurance premiums have risen by 30 per cent since 2013.
That means private health insurance is 30 per cent more expensive now than it was when the Liberals came to office.
Last week in Senate Estimates, senior officials confirmed that private health insurance premiums have never been higher than they are under this Government.
This Government is sitting on its hands when it comes to soaring premiums and record out of pocket costs and waiting times.
The Minister claims he’s accomplished the “most significant reforms to private health insurance in over a decade” but even just this week’s evidence shows these reforms aren’t working anywhere near well enough.
This week alone Greg Hunt has ignored calls from the AMA president and CHOICE for a root and branch review into the private health insurance system.
This morning, the Minister also sledged one of Australia’s leading health economists for daring suggest that private health insurance needs reform.
He should spend less time criticising experts, and more time listening to what they actually have to say. He should be coming up with a plan for private health insurance.
The only way to address the private health insurance crisis is with a root and branch review of the system.
The time for a review into private health insurance is now.