Labor’s Private Health Insurance Changes a Direct Attack on Bradfield

“With 85 per cent of Bradfield residents having private health insurance, Labor’s attack on the tax rebate for private health insurance is a direct attack on Bradfield’, said Paul Fletcher, Member for Bradfield.

“The legislation to means test the private health insurance rebate is another broken promise by Julia Gillard and it will result in cost increases for households of up to 43 per cent”.

“It will make private health insurance more expensive for 2.4 million Australians’.

“Along with my Coalition colleagues, I will vote against Labor’s plan that will slug households and will put more pressure on public hospitals’, Mr Fletcher said.

“This legislation, if passed by Julia Gillard, the Greens and independents will have a dramatic impact on household budgets, as well as put further pressure on a public hospital system already under strain.”

“The respected consulting firm Deloitte estimate that if this legislation is passed, 1.6 million Australians will drop private hospital cover over the next five years and another 4.3 million Australians will downgrade their level of coverage.” 

“As millions of people leave private health insurance, the cost of that insurance will rise even more and put further pressure on our public hospital system.” 

“There is no doubt that local households are paying a heavy price for Labor’s waste and mismanagement and its failure to manage the budget.”

“I will vote against this legislation and do everything I can to stop it becoming law.”