APHA has launched an advertising campaign in Tasmania to raise awareness of the proposed measures to means test the Private Health Insurance Rebate.
View the print ad here: NHMT Campaign
Listen to the radio ad here: http://www.2shared.com/audio/Q6ixexXW/APHA_45796_Rev2_180711.html
APHA has launched a new website http://www.nohealthmeanstest.com.au/. This website has been developed as part of the Valuing Private Hospitals campaign to assist us in fighting against the proposed legislation to means test the Private Health Insurance rebate.
The site contains facts and figures about the means testing measures, as well as a rebate calculator for those holding private health insurance to determine how much more they will have to pay under this measure. It also has a function to send an email to their Federal Member of Parliament asking them to vote against the measure.
4 May 2011
Means Testing Health Insurance Rebate Threatens Balanced Health Care System
The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) today welcomed new research providing startling new evidence on the negative impacts of the Federal Government’s proposal to means-test private health insurance rebates.
The research, released by the Australian Health Insurance Association, finds that over five years 1.6 million Australians will drop their health insurance cover as a direct result of means-testing. This is a much larger figure than that stated by the Government and shows the impact of means-testing will be felt widely in hip pockets across Australia. APHA has consistently expressed concerns about the inadequacy of the Government modelling of the impact of means-testing, particularly their refusal to examine the flow-on effects of lower health fund membership.
As a result of reduced membership, health insurance premiums for those retaining their insurance will be 10% higher than they would be with no means-testing. This will mean the cost of living will increase even for low income earners who are not subject to the means-test.
With fewer people insured and able to access private hospital services, these Government proposals will lead to an additional 845,000 admissions needed in public hospital between 2012 and 2016. Waiting times for elective surgery are also forecast to increase significantly.
“This research means that State Governments have signed on to a health funding deal with the Commonwealth on a false premise,” said Michael Roff, CEO of the Australian Private Hospitals Association. “It is very clear that all State Governments should immediately evaluate the impact of means-testing on their own budgets and examine the cost of treating these patients in their public hospitals.”
The research also finds that while some savings accrue early on, by the fifth year, the cost of servicing additional demand in the public sector is forecast to exceed the expected savings.
“The Government has always sold this policy on the basis that it is a long-term savings measure. Now that those savings have been proven to be illusory, the Government must abandon this policy that threatens Australia’s balanced health care system,” concluded Mr Roff.
-ENDS-
For more information contact:
Lisa Ramshaw, APHA Director, Communications and Marketing on 0413 971 999
