The New South Wales Labor Government’s threat to increase the private health insurance levy should be called out for what it is – a blatant cash grab on Australians with private health cover.
The NSW Government wants to charge more than double the federal regulated rate for each private patient who receives care in a public hospital, threatening an additional tax hike if they don’t agree.
Federal Shadow Minister for Health, Senator Anne Ruston said that this would be a big cost-of-living hit to private patients, with the additional costs inevitably flowing on to premium holders not just in NSW but throughout Australia.
“In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, the Government should not be using private patients as a way to fix their budget mess,” Senator Ruston said.
“Under the National Health Reform Agreement, there is a national efficient price for private patients receiving public hospital services.
“The national efficient price is $421 per bed and the NSW Government wants that to be more than doubled to $892.
“The NSW Government clearly can’t manage their own budget and are prepared to make hard working Australians pay for their budget failures.
“This would set a concerning precedent for other States across the country to follow suit.
“The more than 14 million Australians who rely on private health insurance cannot afford this cash grab in the middle of the Albanese Government’s cost-of-living crisis.”
The Opposition is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to stand up to NSW Labor and stop this disastrous policy.
“Anthony Albanese refused to stand up to his state counterparts on GP payroll tax, which is pushing up the cost of seeing a doctor,” Senator Ruston said.
“It is time he finally steps in to prevent additional cost hikes from impacting patients and the entire health system.”
ENDS
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