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Local federal MP Bruce Billson has told Parliament of the greater burden to be felt by Dunkley residents and further pressure on our local hospital system as a result of the Rudd Government’s attempts to slash private health insurance rebates.
The Rudd Labor Government has broken an election promise to retain the rebates and is attempting to cut the 30 per cent rebate by phasing it out for singles earning over $75,000 and for families from $150,000. It is expected that a quarter of a million people will drop out of private health insurance.
Mr Billson said slashing the rebate would impact on the 64,000 Dunkley residents who represent 15,134 families and 17,024 single adults with private health insurance which will lead to higher premiums and longer waiting lists as people opt out of insurance.
“This ill conceived measure will put up the price of private health insurance, discourage people from providing for their own health costs and add pressure on waiting lists in the public hospital and health system.
“Privately insured patients also bring additional revenue into the public hospital system. That opportunity, being encouraged in hospitals in Victoria by the State Labor Government, will be diminished and disadvantaged as a result of this change,” he said.
While Frankston Hospital has adapted to increasing demand and challenges associated with a growing and ageing population, Mr Billson said axing rebates would only “increase demand on a public hospital system already stretched with long waiting lists.”
“The public system is valued and does a sterling job under difficult circumstances, ordinarily with underfunding and with poor administration and leadership from state governments,” Mr Billson said.
“If you take away the incentive for people to take out private health insurance and to provide for their health care, you see a reduction in people making that personal choice; you see a reduction in the resources available to the health system as a whole; you see an increasing demand on a public hospital system already stretched with long waiting lists.”
“It is not a $64,000 question for the electorate of Dunkley; it is a 64,000 Dunkley residents’ issue, as they will be paying a heavier price for this Rudd Government’s ongoing attack on private health insurance.
“It is not just an issue for people that hold that care; it is also an issue for those that are looking for support from our health system,” he said.
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Your Federal Member for Dunkley
