Clue #1.

A common question is  "Have you moved your bowels today ?"

Sounds like you're in hospital.

I hope everything's okay   :-/

Goulburn Correctional Centre ?

greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 2:14pm:

Sounds like you're in hospital. I hope everything's okay   :-/

wow, 1st guess right. well done. Did you know it ?

had an accident, it's funny, I always wondered how/why people said they were "lucky' after an accident/injury.
I reckon i was really lucky.

1/ my wife was also home at the time. if i was alone ............ could have been tricky 

2/ We live close to a hospital, she  drove me there.

Was it at home accident?

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 3:37pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 2:14pm: Sounds like you're in hospital. I hope everything's okay   :-/ wow, 1st guess right. well done. Did you know it ? had an accident, it's funny, I always wondered how/why people said they were "lucky' after an accident/injury. I reckon i was really lucky. 1/ my wife was also home at the time. if i was alone ............ could have been tricky  2/ We live close to a hospital, she  drove me there.

I knew straight away from the question you posted - I spent many days in hospital with my parents before they passed away.

The nurses always ask that question, and it used to drive my parents nuts   :)

Anyway, did your accident involve a power tool?

Do you still have all your fingers?   :-/

Sprinty is an Anus supporter.

Trump  ;D

Wishing you a speedy recovery Mr. Sprint!

Aye - I've no moved me bowls today.. too heavy!

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/two-large-round-stones-placed-grass-illuminated-sun-le-perche-region-charencey-france-452494812.jpg

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 3:37pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 2:14pm: Sounds like you're in hospital. I hope everything's okay   :-/ wow, 1st guess right. well done. Did you know it ? had an accident, it's funny, I always wondered how/why people said they were "lucky' after an accident/injury. I reckon i was really lucky. 1/ my wife was also home at the time. if i was alone ............ could have been tricky  2/ We live close to a hospital, she  drove me there.

the luck continued

3/ We managed to book into private hospital that night with a surgeon who specialised in hand injuries and did micro surgery. It had to be done that night.

really, i could not fully appreciate my luck till many days later 

4/ the blade was thin, clean and sharp.
     A thick blunt blade would have been much worse

5/ my finger was not 100% severed. a few mm of fat and skin held it dangling loosely.
So it did not fall onto the floor and get dirty. Nor did we have to try to find it.

6/ The surgeon and his team of about 9 others are very well reputed and were already working that night. I had no GA illness after the 3:30 hr operation .

7/ Apparently being a non drinker helps my recover a lot

8/ My bowels are opening daily or better.

:) :) :) :)

greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 4:07pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 3:37pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 2:14pm: Sounds like you're in hospital. I hope everything's okay   :-/ wow, 1st guess right. well done. Did you know it ? had an accident, it's funny, I always wondered how/why people said they were "lucky' after an accident/injury. I reckon i was really lucky. 1/ my wife was also home at the time. if i was alone ............ could have been tricky  2/ We live close to a hospital, she  drove me there. I knew straight away from the question you posted - I spent many days in hospital with my parents before they passed away. The nurses always ask that question, and it used to drive my parents nuts   :) Anyway, did your accident involve a power tool? Do you still have all your fingers?   :-/

it is a big deal to the nurses. any painkiller slow the digestive tract, being bed ridden slows the tract.
then there is just another problem. a bad problem too

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 7:41pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 3:37pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 2:14pm: Sounds like you're in hospital. I hope everything's okay   :-/ wow, 1st guess right. well done. Did you know it ? had an accident, it's funny, I always wondered how/why people said they were "lucky' after an accident/injury. I reckon i was really lucky. 1/ my wife was also home at the time. if i was alone ............ could have been tricky  2/ We live close to a hospital, she  drove me there. the luck continued 3/ We managed to book into private hospital that night with a surgeon who specialised in hand injuries and did micro surgery. It had to be done that night. really, i could not fully appreciate my luck till many days later  4/ the blade was thin, clean and sharp.      A thick blunt blade would have been much worse 5/ my finger was not 100% severed. a few mm of fat and skin held it dangling loosely. So it did not fall onto the floor and get dirty. Nor did we have to try to find it. 6/ The surgeon and his team of about 9 others are very well reputed and were already working that night. I had no GA illness after the 3:30 hr operation . 7/ Apparently being a non drinker helps my recover a lot 8/ My bowels are opening daily or better. :) :) :) :)

Eek!   :(

I'm glad it's okay now.

Your finger, that is.

I hope you fully recover soon and retain full use of the digit.

Nasty accident   :(

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 7:41pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 3:37pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 2:14pm: Sounds like you're in hospital. I hope everything's okay   :-/ wow, 1st guess right. well done. Did you know it ? had an accident, it's funny, I always wondered how/why people said they were "lucky' after an accident/injury. I reckon i was really lucky. 1/ my wife was also home at the time. if i was alone ............ could have been tricky  2/ We live close to a hospital, she  drove me there. the luck continued 3/ We managed to book into private hospital that night with a surgeon who specialised in hand injuries and did micro surgery. It had to be done that night. really, i could not fully appreciate my luck till many days later  4/ the blade was thin, clean and sharp.      A thick blunt blade would have been much worse 5/ my finger was not 100% severed. a few mm of fat and skin held it dangling loosely. So it did not fall onto the floor and get dirty. Nor did we have to try to find it. 6/ The surgeon and his team of about 9 others are very well reputed and were already working that night. I had no GA illness after the 3:30 hr operation . 7/ Apparently being a non drinker helps my recover a lot 8/ My bowels are opening daily or better. :) :) :) :)

That is terrible -

I hope you make some kind of good recovery.

thanks lads and lasses.

it's been a rollercoaster week
a private hospital is good value

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 10:40pm:

thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value

Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it.
First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?”
They always seem pleased when I say yes!

I had never heard the saying "bowels moving" in my life until I was in hospital at age 15. And I recall being constipated for 3 days until the nurse gave me a high dosage of some kind of laxative. I was in the toilet for a half hour making sure that the bowels were clear.

TRUMP
;D

Sophia wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 10:56pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes!

yes we do.
wonder how much this would cost ?
surgery with team of about 9, private room for 10 days.
all the rehad.
shall we guess ?     $40 K ?

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 11:27pm:

Sophia wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:56pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes! yes we do. wonder how much this would cost ? surgery with team of about 9, private room for 10 days. all the rehad. shall we guess ?     $40 K ?

About 3 years ago I had an op, private hospital, private room with my own ensuite.
So my health insurance covered all that.

So many people say they don’t do health insurance and say that public hospitals do all that and are just as good. Except there’s a shared room and ensuite.

Sometimes I’m tempted. To let the insurance go. But I worry as we are aging.

Do we, as members of a paid health insurance, get better treatment?
And those that are not with health insurance, get covered for all types of medical treatment?

I saw an article recently somewhere that due to cost of living and finances being what they are, many have opted out of health insurance.
I opted out of extras. But kept a top tier hospital cover.
Which means I pay for annual ambulance cover separately.

I might look it up…. paid health fund VS non paid and what medical treatments are covered.

Sophia wrote on Aug 17^th, 2026 at 5:25am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 11:27pm: Sophia wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:56pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes! yes we do. wonder how much this would cost ? surgery with team of about 9, private room for 10 days. all the rehad. shall we guess ?     $40 K ? About 3 years ago I had an op, private hospital, private room with my own ensuite. So my health insurance covered all that. So many people say they don’t do health insurance and say that public hospitals do all that and are just as good. Except there’s a shared room and ensuite. Sometimes I’m tempted. To let the insurance go. But I worry as we are aging. Do we, as members of a paid health insurance, get better treatment? And those that are not with health insurance, get covered for all types of medical treatment? I saw an article recently somewhere that due to cost of living and finances being what they are, many have opted out of health insurance. I opted out of extras. But kept a top tier hospital cover. Which means I pay for annual ambulance cover separately. I might look it up…. paid health fund VS non paid and what medical treatments are covered.

it's a hard decision.

i think in public you get whatever doctor is on duty that night. you might be lucky, you might not.
in private  doctors are prob of a higher standard, else the company will fire them

i cry a lot now.

Did Sprinty see Proctologist Dr Aye Aye from Madagascar?

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 17^th, 2026 at 6:21am:

i cry a lot now.

That’s a good thing! But for now it’s probably the anaesthetic wearing off.
I recall day 2 or 3 after my op I had the biggest sooky session!

I picked where you were from the OP. Sorry you've been through all of that but i was relieved to see it was but a finger as i read on. Not that that's not a horrible and life changing experience in itself, just that you are okay.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Sophia wrote on Aug 17^th, 2026 at 5:25am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 11:27pm: Sophia wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:56pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes! yes we do. wonder how much this would cost ? surgery with team of about 9, private room for 10 days. all the rehad. shall we guess ?     $40 K ? About 3 years ago I had an op, private hospital, private room with my own ensuite. So my health insurance covered all that. So many people say they don’t do health insurance and say that public hospitals do all that and are just as good. Except there’s a shared room and ensuite. Sometimes I’m tempted. To let the insurance go. But I worry as we are aging. Do we, as members of a paid health insurance, get better treatment? And those that are not with health insurance, get covered for all types of medical treatment? I saw an article recently somewhere that due to cost of living and finances being what they are, many have opted out of health insurance. I opted out of extras. But kept a top tier hospital cover. Which means I pay for annual ambulance cover separately. I might look it up…. paid health fund VS non paid and what medical treatments are covered.

It is i! Your friendly champion of public hospitals!

First thing you want to know is that your private hospital has an ICU. Things go wrong. More than a few people have died being moved from private hospitals to public hospitals because something has gone very wrong.

I know i'm going to regret this but here's a personal anecdote. When i pregnant with my son, something went very wrong. I was a public patient in the care of the Women's and Children's Hospital, here in Adelaide. I don't want to go into details but it resulted in a 4.5month death watch for myself and my son. I walked around with 2 phones in my pocket when i wasn't in hospital.

I as told that the WMC didn't have an ICU for women so were i to hemorrhage severely at the time of birth, they couldn't care for me there. So they sent me to Flinders Hospital, over the other side of town which had a NICU and an ICU.

I was accompanied by an utmost specialist in the field of obstetrics. He had recently been on Australian Story. He worked out of Flinders, as is absolutely the case with our best and brightest. They may well work in private practice but the best still beat the path at the public hospitals. I was put in his hands by more hyper-concerned obstetrician from the WMC, who himself kept track of us throughout.

My new obstetrician even saw me in his private offices and bulkbilled me for every visit.

I had a private room and the absolute best care i could possibly have wished for. They set up a cot for my husband and he stayed the duration we were in hospital.

Anyway, worth noting is that the woman who had what i had before me died in the ambulance on her way from her private hospital to Flinders. Her child survived, thankfully.

That ICU saved my life. That NICU saved my sons life. My amazing doctor saved my life. All in the public system.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 17^th, 2026 at 6:12am:

Sophia wrote on Aug 17th, 2026 at 5:25am: Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 11:27pm: Sophia wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:56pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes! yes we do. wonder how much this would cost ? surgery with team of about 9, private room for 10 days. all the rehad. shall we guess ?     $40 K ? About 3 years ago I had an op, private hospital, private room with my own ensuite. So my health insurance covered all that. So many people say they don’t do health insurance and say that public hospitals do all that and are just as good. Except there’s a shared room and ensuite. Sometimes I’m tempted. To let the insurance go. But I worry as we are aging. Do we, as members of a paid health insurance, get better treatment? And those that are not with health insurance, get covered for all types of medical treatment? I saw an article recently somewhere that due to cost of living and finances being what they are, many have opted out of health insurance. I opted out of extras. But kept a top tier hospital cover. Which means I pay for annual ambulance cover separately. I might look it up…. paid health fund VS non paid and what medical treatments are covered. it's a hard decision. i think in public you get whatever doctor is on duty that night. you might be lucky, you might not. in private  doctors are prob of a higher standard, else the company will fire them

Sprinty that's just not true. No profession is more scrutanised and held accountable that doctors.

You may encounter a newbie in emergency but by the time action is required, you can anticipate absolute experts.

Sure it's not perfect but it's pretty damn excellent.

And most private doctors of high calibre also work in public hospitals.

The advantage of private over public truly resides in elective surgery wait times.

But please, i urge all Australians who can afford private health cover to keep it up. It takes the strain off of the public sector.

Sophia wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 10:56pm:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes!

Been contemplating that lately because it looks like the Albanese Govt is going to wipe the Private Health Cover rebate.

To me all that will do is chase people out of private health & into the public system...... which because of other governmental policy is under enormous pressure today in every state.

We are going to hang on to ours until we can no longer afford it.

At present our weekly direct debit to RTHealth (owned by HCF) for Gold Utimate Hospital &Top Extras is $137.11(I just checked)

That's $7,129.72 per year  :o :o

if that's with the 32.158% private health insurance rebate then maybe we can't afford it.  >:(

I hadn't checked this since I retired in 2019- it's 2 grand more than I thought.

Our local hospital has been turned into more or less a scratch & splinter clinic and Emerg Dept ....

all patients are assessed in triage & if warranting hospitalisation sent 20 mins down death alley(road) to Hervey Bay >:( - the only private hospital is straight across the road.

Speedy recovery Sprint.  ;)

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 17^th, 2026 at 6:21am:

i cry a lot now.

Yes. Trump does that
  ;D

Sophia wrote on Aug 17^th, 2026 at 5:25am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 11:27pm: Sophia wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:56pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes! yes we do. wonder how much this would cost ? surgery with team of about 9, private room for 10 days. all the rehad. shall we guess ?     $40 K ? About 3 years ago I had an op, private hospital, private room with my own ensuite. So my health insurance covered all that. So many people say they don’t do health insurance and say that public hospitals do all that and are just as good. Except there’s a shared room and ensuite. Sometimes I’m tempted. To let the insurance go. But I worry as we are aging. Do we, as members of a paid health insurance, get better treatment? And those that are not with health insurance, get covered for all types of medical treatment? I saw an article recently somewhere that due to cost of living and finances being what they are, many have opted out of health insurance. I opted out of extras. But kept a top tier hospital cover. Which means I pay for annual ambulance cover separately. I might look it up…. paid health fund VS non paid and what medical treatments are covered.

I have been hospitalised 5 times in my life.
3 have been emergency, critical life threatening issues and resulting in days or weeks in the ICU.
The other two just basic injuries requiring some serious attention and a week or less in the hospital.

I have  and have had top medical insurance cover most of my life.
But I have never been placed into a private ward, always public.

The most recent experience was a diverticulitis attack with a bowel perforation into my bloodstream.
Septis was having a good go at me, so I was ruched into ICU and the operations unit.
All good, great care and to be honest, I couldn't care less if I was in an open market at the time as the pain was somewhat....distracting.
But here I was a fully paid up private patient sitting in a ward with 4 other very sick men, one of who passed while I was in there.
The one opposite me had been there for 3 weeks, he had no family or friends and was probably not going to live long.
But I was out of it, dosed up on god knows what and getting antibiotics every 1/2 hour, with blood tests every hour.

The sad part was that they asked me if I had medical insurance and what level it was.
They knew I was top cover, but still lumped me in with everyone else.
I'm now thinking, do I need top cover?
I've never seen a private ward....ever.
And to be honest, when you are staring at the guy with the sickle, you really don't care.

But, and I must stress this with all sincerity.
I don't think it would matter one iota to the very professional and caring nurses and doctors I have come into contact with.
They have saved my life and cared for me through near death experiences.
And this most recent one could have turned very bad, very quickly.

I would be very happy if I never needed to see a hospital ever again.
But is thousands of dollars to a health fund that never has to pay out really worth the money?

Valkie, I’m astounded you never had a private room.
Were you ever given a choice?
Did you ever ask for a private room if available?
Maybe we were just lucky to fluke them!
Even in a public hospital about 4 years ago after emergency prostate thingy…husband had a private room, in a public hospital!
5 years ago with a op to my hand/finger, I got a shared room with 3 others and a shared bathroom.
One lady was so physically incapable always left her apparatus over the toilet!

I honestly thought getting private room was a hit or miss situation.

Mothra, that’s sad about the young mum dying and must be bitter sweet for family to cope with that.
I thought in this day and age women were safer to survive pregnancy and childbirth!
In ancestry I look up over the many hundreds years of past, how quite a few women died during childbirth, and it’s sad. Back then I thought yes, higher chances of it, but had assumed these modern times things would be better and they are, yet with my first that miscarried, and badly, seemed a grim night as nurses were around me all night as I haemorrhaged and that’s something that can take one out or it can eventually subside.
I was fortunate as I survived it! I just knew I wasn’t ready to travel beyond the stars!

Another thing astounds me now, many don’t wait until contractions … it’s all chosen appointed times to go in and have a Caesarian delivery.

44 years later I’m still remembering the umpteen hours of labour pain  ;D
My wish was that I stay around so I can be there for my kids when they grow up.
I’m grateful about that.

Just checking in to see how you’re doing today Sprinty.

Gnads wrote on Aug 17^th, 2026 at 9:52am:

Sophia wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:56pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes! Been contemplating that lately because it looks like the Albanese Govt is going to wipe the Private Health Cover rebate. To me all that will do is chase people out of private health & into the public system...... which because of other governmental policy is under enormous pressure today in every state. We are going to hang on to ours until we can no longer afford it. At present our weekly direct debit to RTHealth (owned by HCF) for Gold Utimate Hospital &Top Extras is $137.11(I just checked) That's $7,129.72 per year  :o :o if that's with the 32.158% private health insurance rebate then maybe we can't afford it.  >:( I hadn't checked this since I retired in 2019- it's 2 grand more than I thought. Our local hospital has been turned into more or less a scratch & splinter clinic and Emerg Dept .... all patients are assessed in triage & if warranting hospitalisation sent 20 mins down death alley(road) to Hervey Bay >:( - the only private hospital is straight across the road.

Gnads I didn’t know this. I’m astounded if the rebate will be abolished!
By the grace of that rebate is the only reason I’ve stuck with the health insurance cover.

If the rebate is abolished, then I’m out!
And I bet many others will too!
Which means, more pressure on public hospitals.
Then who pays for that?

The government will muck it up. You watch.

Look at how investments and rentals and are now in disarray.

Geez what’s next for this house of cards government?

What I’m not sure about…. If we are not on a pension…. Will it be worst for us to go get free hospital treatment in Public hospital?
Do we have to have some form of concession card?
I feel we could be in a catch 22  :-?

my op was $9600, pretty good price i thought.



phew, made it. Back at home, had a Dr and physio visit today. did some 1 handed gardening yesterday.

I saw my finger for  the first time today .
Here is what happened today to show his repute ............
While I was at his suite he was wandering around looking at images on his phone.  'look at this one' - showed it to a physiotherapist.
A guy in Townsville had severed 2 of his fingers.
The guy was currently in a plane on the way to Brisbane from Townsville to be operated on by Dr Rowe.
It'ld be a charter/medical/army flight, to be met by an ambulance at the airport and whisked to Dr  Rowe.
How is that for an ego boost?  They fly someone from Townsville to Brisbane because that is where Dr Rowe is.
Dr Rowe was going to go home, get a few hours sleep, then return for a 5+ hour operation .
Surgeons do not sleep much.

I can't drive for about a month from now.  Will have a splint on and can't drive with a splint on.
That is the law .  I'll be back at burleigh in about 6 weeks

So pleased you are home and on the mend, Sprinty. Brilliant to hear that your in the garden, loving life.

Blessings.

Sophia wrote on Aug 18^th, 2026 at 11:12pm:

Gnads wrote on Aug 17th, 2026 at 9:52am: Sophia wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:56pm: Sprintcyclist wrote on Aug 16th, 2026 at 10:40pm: thanks lads and lasses. it's been a rollercoaster week a private hospital is good value Do you have health insurance? We do and I often wonder if we should get out of it. First thing hospitals ask when we go for surgery or emergency, “do you have private health insurance?” They always seem pleased when I say yes! Been contemplating that lately because it looks like the Albanese Govt is going to wipe the Private Health Cover rebate. To me all that will do is chase people out of private health & into the public system...... which because of other governmental policy is under enormous pressure today in every state. We are going to hang on to ours until we can no longer afford it. At present our weekly direct debit to RTHealth (owned by HCF) for Gold Utimate Hospital &Top Extras is $137.11(I just checked) That's $7,129.72 per year  :o :o if that's with the 32.158% private health insurance rebate then maybe we can't afford it.  >:( I hadn't checked this since I retired in 2019- it's 2 grand more than I thought. Our local hospital has been turned into more or less a scratch & splinter clinic and Emerg Dept .... all patients are assessed in triage & if warranting hospitalisation sent 20 mins down death alley(road) to Hervey Bay >:( - the only private hospital is straight across the road. Gnads I didn’t know this. I’m astounded if the rebate will be abolished! By the grace of that rebate is the only reason I’ve stuck with the health insurance cover. If the rebate is abolished, then I’m out! And I bet many others will too! Which means, more pressure on public hospitals. Then who pays for that? The government will muck it up. You watch. Look at how investments and rentals and are now in disarray. Geez what’s next for this house of cards government? What I’m not sure about…. If we are not on a pension…. Will it be worst for us to go get free hospital treatment in Public hospital? Do we have to have some form of concession card? I feel we could be in a catch 22  :-?

'The Albanese Government is not entirely wiping the private health insurance rebate, but it is winding back the higher age-based rebate tiers for Australians aged 65 and over. Set to take effect on April 1, 2027, the policy removes the Howard-era bonus that gave seniors an extra 6% to 8% back on their premiums.'

'Age-based rebate loadings for those 65–69 and 70+ will be abolished, aligning senior rebates with the standard income-based rates applied to younger adults (dropping to a base rebate of around 24% for those under the income threshold).'

'Government modelling estimates average out-of-pocket increases of $226 to $255 a year for those keeping coverage, though industry groups warn individual and couple increases could reach up to $807 or $1,614 annually depending on the tier and policy level.'