GREG HUNT DELAYS PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE CHANGES BECAUSE HE KNOWS THEY WILL HURT
Greg Hunt has delayed a key element of his private health insurance changes, in a clear admission that his policies could hurt millions of Australians.
Under new rules announced today, private health insurers will have until April 2020 to implement the new Gold / Silver / Bronze / Basic product categories.
These categories were meant to be in place by April 2019.
The Liberals said these changes would make private health insurance simpler and more affordable, and give consumers more clarity and certainty.
But so far all they’ve done is create chaos and anxiety.
Over recent weeks it has become clear that these changes will leave many people disadvantaged, either through higher premiums or poorer coverage.
As a result, these changes are likely to accelerate the private health insurance exodus that is putting the entire industry at risk.
A one year delay won’t change that – it will simply push these changes beyond the next election.
The Liberals designed these changes hand-in-glove with the industry, giving insurers everything they wanted and protecting their profits. Once again Scott Morrison is putting the profits of big business ahead of the health care needs of ordinary Australians.
Only Labor has a real plan to rein in soaring costs, by capping premiums at 2 per cent for two years – saving families $340.
THURSDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2018