In Health News This Week
As we predicted well before the election (because our members told us so), healthcare costs are shaping as the #1 issue in the final weeks.
There have been two big health stories this week and both potentially impact on FiftyUps.
Despite categorical denials by the Prime Minister that Medicare would not be privatized, Bill Shorten’s campaign ran throughout the weeks and even drew the ire of the Australian Medical Association.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the new head of the AMA, DR Michael Gannon said that while he was pleased with Labor’s plan to unravel the freeze on rebates, privatizing the payment system “in no way” amounted to privatizing Medicare.
Dr Gannon went on to say the Medicare payment system was “rusty” and “antiquated” and that Medicare is an important issue for voters.
Also this week, Labor announced it will continue the freeze on the private health insurance rebate — a measure the Coalition will also take — and will remove the rebate from policies covering natural therapies.
The Coalition will categorise private health insurance policies as gold, silver or bronze and set minimum standards, as well as developing specialised insurance products for people in rural and regional area.
Health Minister Sussan Ley promised “plain English’’ policies and to develop standard definitions for medical procedures across all insurers so that consumers can compare policies more easily.
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