The Albanese Labor Government has quietly imposed another cost increase on the 15 million Australians who rely on private health insurance, with premiums set to rise by 4.41 per cent during a cost-of-living crisis.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston said that this was the largest health insurance premium rise in eight years and above the rate of inflation.
“This rise adds to the growing cost of healthcare under Labor, with Australians now paying more than $50 on average out-of-pocket to see a GP for the first time in Medicare’s history,” Senator Ruston said.
“At a time when household budgets are already under enormous pressure, this premium increase is another hit families cannot afford.
“Australians remember that Labor cut the private health insurance rebate, a move that continues to hurt the affordability of private health for millions of families.
"Who can forget former Labor Health Minister Tanya Plibersek who bragged at a press conference, ‘Every promise I made I paid for. How did I pay for it? I paid for it by targeting private health insurance’.
“Whether it's stranding older Australians in hospital, allowing out-of-pocket costs to soar or standing by as premiums surge, Labor has proven time and again it is determined to erode the choice, quality and affordability Australians deserve from their healthcare system.”
ENDS
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