Don’t risk waiting list lottery – Private Hospitals urge

11 May 2008

Executive Director of the Australian Private Hospitals Association, Michael Roff, does not believe there will be any significant drop-out from health insurance as more and more Australians now realise the value of having fast access to the care provided by private hospitals.

“There are three million Australians every year that receive the high quality services provided by our private hospitals. These and many other Australians understand the value of choice, quality and fast access provided by the private health sector.

“We believe that despite the changes announced in the Budget, when people sit down and evaluate the value proposition, they will decide the benefits provided by private health care outweigh any small financial saving that may accrue.

“That is why we have seen health insurance membership growing strongly in the past few years,” Mr Roff said.

He also urges Australians to consider the risks of opting out of health insurance.

“With the Lifetime Health Cover policy, if people who are currently covered opt out now, they will have to pay an additional loading if they decide to re-join down the track.

“People also need to consider if they want to risk the “waiting list lottery” that still exists in public hospitals. Despite some extra cash being thrown at waiting lists by the federal government, I have not seen anything that indicates the situation in public hospitals has improved, nor any indication that it will improve in the future,” Mr Roff said.

ENDS

For further information, contact:
Michael Roff 0413 317 550