DR ANNE WEBSTER MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL HEALTH
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MALLEE

TOPICS: Private Health Insurance rebate cut, impact on public hospitals, projected impact on private health insurance cover, States’ opposition to insurance rebate change, federal contribution to running hospitals, Senate inquiry

Pantelis

Okay. So now, obviously, it's going to to have this obvious consequence, isn't it? You can see that from a mile away, that it's just going to make ramping .. it's going to make capacity issues in our hospitals just that much worse as people on private health abandon their private health because the prices are going to go up.

Webster

Well, it's extraordinary that the state governments are very aware of how it's going to impact what are already crunched public health systems, as you rightly say, and yet our federal minister Mark Butler seems to be oblivious to the fact. We've got several reports out now who are estimating that, well, the government's estimation is that 44,000 people will be impacted by this, but there are the insurance sector says no, it'll actually be around 62,000 older Australians will actually drop their cover altogether, but 200,000 will downgrade. And then there's another body, the National Seniors Australia, who say that 400,000 people over the age of 65 who have private health cover will reduce that cover, and 270,000 will drop it altogether.  Either way, this is a diabolical mess that just never needed to come about, and it is really deeply concerning for those who are over 65. If, you know, you've got a couple who are 70 and they've been paying their insurance, their private health insurance for decades, they've been investing for this time in their life when they might need new cataracts, they might need a new hip or a new knee. Amazing science, all at work, and they now are in a position where $1,600 additional cost to them can see them pull out and not be able to get those surgeries done.

Pantelis

Yeah, unreal. So, what's the outcome here? Will the feds have to change their mind on this, you would expect is it going to be pressure from the states? Could that be enough to do it?

Webster

Well, my hope is that yes. Now that South Australia have joined New South Wales - another Labor government - Queensland, Tasmania, obviously both lead by Coalition, proving this is not political. It's not about the politics. It's about the lack of sense where the government is trying to keep more money in their coffers - $3 billion next year and a billion each year after that. When in actual fact, the $45 billion a year over five years that the federal government pays state governments to run their hospital system is just going to not be able to cope. It's not going to be enough money. So, what they're going to be so-called saving is actually going to create more headache, and it's just going to be harder for everybody concerned.

Pantelis

Yeah. Okay. So, I mean, there is a - not a  shadow cabinet, a national cabinet next week. You expect this would come up on the agenda?

Webster

I would expect so. Absolutely. The Senate inquiry that Senator Anne Ruston was obviously involved in, they made it very clear. Many bodies made it very clear. This is just not a good move, and so I would hope that the national cabinet would make their case to Mark Butler, and that he will need to walk this back because it's not a good decision  for anyone, and it particularly impacts regional health, where we already have shortages, we have greater problems with workforce. We have less hospitals available. We have less surgeries available in the regions. The costs just continue to climb, and obviously, we have … well, people may not think it's obvious, but it is obvious to me. We have older populations generally, so this impacts regional Australians significantly.

Pantelis

Yeah, absolutely. All right, we'll see where it goes. I appreciate your time tonight. Thank you.

Webster

No worries at all. Thank you,

Pantelis

Dr Anne Webster, who is the Shadow Minister for Regional Health, and from the electorate of Mallee in Victoria, so understands those issues obviously. But gee, it's interesting, isn't it, with the private health rebate? I mean, it's clear it's a bill that, of course, it's only going to lead to more people in the public health system. Blair Boyer, the health minister here in South Australia has recognised that as well, and saying, "Well, basically, we agree with SA Health. He says, "I'll continue to advocate what's in the best interests of South Australians. Coming in the ‘Tisertoday, making it clear, he says, "We would prefer the full rebate stay in place.

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