HBF Warns Rebate Change Disastrous for West Australians
September 27th, 2006 by Yvonne
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HBF has warned that the changes to the health insurance rebate expected to be announced in the budget next week will be disastrous for its 800,000 members.
WA’s leading health insurer is calling on the Government at the eleventh hour, to think again before taking an axe to the rebate.
HBF Managing Director Rob Bransby said the moves would penalise people who are doing the most to take pressure off the public system by taking responsibility for their own healthcare.
“Over 50 per cent of West Australians have private health insurance, these changes will not just affect the rich, they will cause hardship for all our members” Mr Bransby said.
“And every Australian who drops their health cover will place an additional burden on our already stretched public health system, affecting the whole community.”
Mr Bransby said the changes couldn’t come at a worse time.
“West Australians are already experiencing loss of security in the current economic climate. Targeting their health is the last thing they need. What’s more, Australia’s ageing population is placing increasing strain on this State’s health services.
“These changes essentially threaten the balance between Australia’s public and private health systems that have served us so well.“
Mr Bransby said opponents of the rebate system overlooked the fact that while individuals are paid a 30 cent rebate per dollar to take out health cover, those same individuals pay an additional 70 cents in the dollar into the overall health system.
“Today, people with private health insurance inject over $11 million into Australia’s health system,” he said.
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