4 years ago
HUNT MUST STICK TO HIS WORD ON PREMIUM RISES
CHRIS BOWEN MP
Instead of pointing the finger solely at the device manufacturing sector, the Government should accept responsibility when it comes to taking action on private health insurance reform and call for a root and branch review of the entire sector to ensure customers are getting value for money.
While Greg Hunt has “demanded” insurers stay under 3 per cent for the next round of premium rises, he has failed to back the promise with policy.
Devoid of any leadership from the Morrison Government, the Medical Technology Association of Australia have taken it upon themselves today to call out Minister Hunt and the “big three” health insurers to ensure the premium rise for private health insurance stays under 3 per cent for the year. Their CEO Ian Burgess has today said:
“Any attempt by insurers to claim premiums should rise by over 3 per cent next year – twice the rate of inflation – is a sham and a scam.”
Only two weeks ago Minister Hunt claimed victory when he said:
“We have reduced the cost of prostheses to patients and private health insurers by up to 20 per cent for some classes of medical devices…”
Every part of the sector with a contribution to make to private health insurance should be reviewed.
Two weeks ago Greg Hunt bizarrely claimed that the Government has reduced private health insurance premiums by 40 per cent.
The responsibility is on Minister Hunt to actually do something about the affordability and sustainability of private health insurance in Australia.
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.
While Greg Hunt has “demanded” insurers stay under 3 per cent for the next round of premium rises, he has failed to back the promise with policy.
Devoid of any leadership from the Morrison Government, the Medical Technology Association of Australia have taken it upon themselves today to call out Minister Hunt and the “big three” health insurers to ensure the premium rise for private health insurance stays under 3 per cent for the year. Their CEO Ian Burgess has today said:
“Any attempt by insurers to claim premiums should rise by over 3 per cent next year – twice the rate of inflation – is a sham and a scam.”
Only two weeks ago Minister Hunt claimed victory when he said:
“We have reduced the cost of prostheses to patients and private health insurers by up to 20 per cent for some classes of medical devices…”
Every part of the sector with a contribution to make to private health insurance should be reviewed.
Two weeks ago Greg Hunt bizarrely claimed that the Government has reduced private health insurance premiums by 40 per cent.
The responsibility is on Minister Hunt to actually do something about the affordability and sustainability of private health insurance in Australia.
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.