Australian Politics Forum - Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.

Ex Dame Pansi

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #15 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:29am

Swagman wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:26am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:23am:

Now watch the health insurance companies collapse. Keep it affordable or go out of business. They should have learned from the retail sector.

Tell that to the unions

The unions would have far more to do with the cost of public health than private health insurance.

It's like blaming the unions because my house and contents insurance is getting expensive?

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Dsmithy70

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #16 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:35am

Quote:

he Abbott government has approved the biggest rise in private health insurance premiums in almost a decade, as it walks away from any early implementation of its election promise to scrap the means testing of the 30 per cent rebate for health fund members.

Corporate welfare & a broken promise all in the opening sentence.

Gee imagine if his name was Gillard.

We'd need an extra hospital just to cope with apoplectic posters, funny all seems calm ATM

Quote:

the average family policy including ancillaries such as dental is likely to rise by more than $200 a year because of the average 6.2 per cent increase for 2014 endorsed by Health Minister Peter Dutton.

Wasn't there something about keeping the COL down for Australian's?

Quote:

For a basic family policy, the rise will be about $150 a year.

Well there's $150 of the mythical $550 savings from the CT gone Shocked

Quote:

For all categories, the increase is almost triple the overall rate of inflation. The last time there was a bigger increase was in 2005, when premiums rose by 7.96 per cent.

Quote:

Mr Dutton blamed an 8 per cent increase in overall payouts by health funds this year for the sharp rise.

Well stop rebating for sneakers, golf clubs, gym membership, aroma therapy etc & just pay for actual medical stuff.

Its just an illusion to make people think they are getting something for their money.

Quote:

''There is no doubt this increase could have been lower had it not been for the pressures placed on the sector by Labor,'' he said in a statement.

Mr Dutton declined a request for an interview to explain what these pressures were.

As usual when called to back up verbal diarrhea they fold Angry

Quote:

Each year, the federal government pays health funds more than $5 billion to subsidise health insurance premiums. It is a significant sum of money, more than one-third of the total amount it pays to the states and territories for all health services and infrastructure.

1 third of total health spend, anyone else find this disturbing???

Quote:

Since 1998, the average health insurance premium has risen by 130 per cent, while overall prices have gone up by less than 50 per cent.

Cost up 50%
Prices up 130%

But of course its not corporate welfare.

Quote:

The introduction of the means test for the rebate highlighted how little it affects health fund membership. Amid predictions from health insurers that there would be a mass exodus of members, numbers have actually increased since it was introduced. The truth is that 12.8 million people are covered by health insurance now, compared with 12.4 million when means testing was introduced.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/little-evidence-health-...

So yet again Liberals are wrong or are they just misleading?

Quote:

Improving private health insurance

We will strengthen Medicare and take pressure off the public hospital system by restoring the Private Health Insurance Rebate as soon as we responsibly can. This will encourage more Australians to take up private health insurance.
http://www.liberal.org.au/our-plan/health

But hey I'm sure the fanboi's here will correct me not only verbally but also with links to articles which will show me & others the truth Wink

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ImSpartacus2

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #17 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:57am

This is that pig Howard and his doing. Every year the govt pays massive corporate welfare to private health insurers (and calls it a rebate to us, hoping we wont notice) when that $$$ should be going straight into the health budget which we pay for in taxes and the medicare levy. We're enduring this not because of sound economics but because of Howard's neocon ideology. It was always the plan to emulate the US health system irrespective of what a flawed and sh!t system it is because its ideological. Well the chickens are coming home to roost. Look forward to more 6% rises per year from now on. The carbon tax is a walk in the park compared to what the coalition plans to do to our cost of living from now on.

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crocodile

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #18 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:00am

Swagman wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:26am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:23am:

Now watch the health insurance companies collapse. Keep it affordable or go out of business. They should have learned from the retail sector.

Tell that to the unions

Let's begin with the two most powerful health sector unions in the country. The AMA and the College of Surgeons.

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Very funny Scotty, now beam down my clothes.

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Bam

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #19 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:24am

Dsmithy70 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:35am:

Quote:

the average family policy including ancillaries such as dental is likely to rise by more than $200 a year because of the average 6.2 per cent increase for 2014 endorsed by Health Minister Peter Dutton.

Wasn't there something about keeping the COL down for Australian's?

Oh yes. Just another broken promise by the clowns.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:35am:

Quote:

''There is no doubt this increase could have been lower had it not been for the pressures placed on the sector by Labor,'' he said in a statement.

Mr Dutton declined a request for an interview to explain what these pressures were.

As usual when called to back up verbal diarrhea they fold Angry

It's just a blant exercise in blame shifting. Blaming the government would have some plausibility if they at least explained why.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:35am:

Quote:

Each year, the federal government pays health funds more than $5 billion to subsidise health insurance premiums. It is a significant sum of money, more than one-third of the total amount it pays to the states and territories for all health services and infrastructure.

1 third of total health spend, anyone else find this disturbing???

Yes, very much so.

Five billion dollars to prop up private health insurance. Four billion dollars to the mining industry. Both are profitable industries that don't need the subsidies. And the Abbott government kick up a fuss about five hundred million for the automotive industry and a one-off 25 million for SPC Ardmona? Really?

For five billion dollars, we could increase Medicare rebates across the board, possibly enough to eliminate the "gap" and so remove the need for gap insurance.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:35am:

Quote:

Since 1998, the average health insurance premium has risen by 130 per cent, while overall prices have gone up by less than 50 per cent.

Cost up 50%
Prices up 130%

But of course its not corporate welfare.

More seriously, it's clear that they are just lining their own profits with the rebate. Phase out the rebate and they would still make a profit.

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You are not entitled to your opinion. You are only entitled to hold opinions that you can defend through sound, reasoned argument.

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John Smith

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #20 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:29am

woody2014 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:11am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:05am:

It means more people will opt out, putting an even bigger strain on the public health (non) system.

http://www.rottenecards.com/ecards/rottenecard_91615373_mhmsjjwf3g.png

So you would rather the coy's go broke..And put a larger strain on the public system Wink

weren't you against subsidising private industry? Or is it OK to subsidies those that save you money?

If they cannot survive they should go broke. They should remove the subsidies as well as remove any caps on increases on premiums ... let the market decide if they are wanted

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Our esteemed leader:
I hope that bitch who was running their brothels for them gets raped with a cactus.

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Bam

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #21 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:45am

John Smith wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:29am:

woody2014 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:11am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:05am:

It means more people will opt out, putting an even bigger strain on the public health (non) system.

http://www.rottenecards.com/ecards/rottenecard_91615373_mhmsjjwf3g.png

So you would rather the coy's go broke..And put a larger strain on the public system Wink

weren't you against subsidising private industry? Or is it OK to subsidies those that save you money?

If they cannot survive they should go broke. They should remove the subsidies as well as remove any caps on increases on premiums ... let the market decide if they are wanted

The increases to premiums require Ministerial approval because they are partly funded by the Federal budget. If the subsidies are removed, there is no longer a need for the Health Minister to command the price and the market can decide the price.

If the subsidy money was redirected into Medicare to increase rebates and close the gap, premiums may actually go down because there's no longer a need for gap insurance.

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You are not entitled to your opinion. You are only entitled to hold opinions that you can defend through sound, reasoned argument.

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Swagman

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #22 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:53am

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:29am:

Swagman wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:26am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:23am:

Now watch the health insurance companies collapse. Keep it affordable or go out of business. They should have learned from the retail sector.

Tell that to the unions

The unions would have far more to do with the cost of public health than private health insurance.

It's like blaming the unions because my house and contents insurance is getting expensive?

Artificially inflating the price of labour arguably makes business uncompetitive. (which is what labour cartels (AKA Unions) do BTW)

Do wages ever go down in any business? Rarely. Maybe in real terms but not actually. Why? Because of unions. Even when businesses are struggling the cost of labour cannot be adjusted....because of unions.

Hey, but this is a good thing? Isn't it?

In the short term maybe but after a while when the businesses close and jobs become scarce who's fault is it?

Hey unions maintain standards of living.....don't they?

Nope, they indoctrinate their one-eyed supporters into thinking so but in reality the standard of living is just bought by debt. Just like the family overspending on credit cards eventually it will bite them on the bum.

The US and Europe has been buying their standard of living on the credit card for 70 odd years and they are now only realising that this is the case......and it's biting them on the bum. Sad

Australia is the same. Billions of tax payer funds go into propping up inefficient industries on the proviso of providing work. Billions of tax payer funds are thrown at the welfare state. Billions of tax payer funds thrown down a bottomless hole...for what? To buy a standard of living.

Six years of Labor. Six years and $300 Billion spent on buying our standard of living.

Bought and not earnt..... Angry

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De-registered User

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #23 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:55am

We dropped out of private 7 years ago. The savings are fantastic so is the bank balance.

anyone have pet insurance?
funeral insurance?
income protection insurance?
life insurance?
mortgage insurance?

LOL

on top of home and contents insurance, car insurance.

FEAR of the unknown and guilt is a fantastic money spinner.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

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Dsmithy70

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #24 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 10:03am

John Smith wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:29am:

let the market decide if they are wanted

The market already made its decision on Private Health Funds.

Hence our tax $$$ propping up this greedy industries profits.

The reason we have the rebate is because participation fell to an all time low.

Why?

Because as now people paid into these funds every month for years if not decades without making a claim.

They then got to the stage in life where things start to wear out, so they have that knee/hip replaced, they have that heart valve replaced.
Thinking all along that they are covered by the 10's of 1000's paid during the young & fit years.

However once home & recuperating the bills start to come in & so did the excuses of why their operation was not covered by the policy they have paid into for years.

People were leaving in droves, the market had made their decision but our pollies & corporate giants did not like the markets decision, so here we are contributing 5 billion a year in corporate welfare.

Hence now you can instantly claim for sh!t frankly you don't need covered as a sort of sugar hit( $700 in premiums YAY Cheesy

, I get $7.50 back on a $60 pair of Nikes, my insurance rules!)

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REBELLION is not what most people think it is.
REBELLION is when you turn off the TV & start educating & thinking for yourself.
Gavin Nascimento

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Swagman Gold Member Offline Beware of cheap imitations...... Posts: 15095 Illawarra NSW Gender:	Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums. Reply #25 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 10:04am I pay private health insurance because the thieving govt want to tax me more if I don't...... despite paying the medicare tax.
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longweekend58

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #26 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 10:32am

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:23am:

woody2014 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:11am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:05am:

It means more people will opt out, putting an even bigger strain on the public health (non) system.

http://www.rottenecards.com/ecards/rottenecard_91615373_mhmsjjwf3g.png

So you would rather the coy's go broke..And put a larger strain on the public system Wink

The health insurance companies will do what they do. It means that those that want to stay in a health fund will continue to face substantial price increases because there will be less customers.

At the moment health insurance is only affordable to middle income earners, like a lot of things that used to be available to everyone but the very impoverished.....electricity is fast becoming a luxury item.

Some essential services should NEVER be privatised.

Now watch the health insurance companies collapse. Keep it affordable or go out of business. They should have learned from the retail sector.

health HASNT been privatised. if you want to pay nothing and go public then that is yoru right. But at the same time, people also have the RIGHT to augment their health cover by paying extra for it. the same argument applies to private education. neither has been privatised

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AUSSIE: "Speaking for myself, I could not care less about 298 human beings having their life snuffed out in a nano-second, or what impact that loss has on Members of their family, their parents..."

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longweekend58

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #27 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 10:37am

Bam wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:45am:

John Smith wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 9:29am:

woody2014 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:11am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 8:05am:

It means more people will opt out, putting an even bigger strain on the public health (non) system.

http://www.rottenecards.com/ecards/rottenecard_91615373_mhmsjjwf3g.png

So you would rather the coy's go broke..And put a larger strain on the public system Wink

weren't you against subsidising private industry? Or is it OK to subsidies those that save you money?

If they cannot survive they should go broke. They should remove the subsidies as well as remove any caps on increases on premiums ... let the market decide if they are wanted

The increases to premiums require Ministerial approval because they are partly funded by the Federal budget. If the subsidies are removed, there is no longer a need for the Health Minister to command the price and the market can decide the price.

If the subsidy money was redirected into Medicare to increase rebates and close the gap, premiums may actually go down because there's no longer a need for gap insurance.

pure la-la land thinking. funding medicare enough to remove gap payments and pay doctors and hospitals the fees that are required would require close to 50% increase in the health budget.

the whole problem with the health budget is that costs are increased well above the CPI and have done so for decades. And that isn't going to stop. people are living longer and medicine is now able to provide some pretty advanced treatments now but they are mainly extremely expensive. If you want a society covered by advanced health care you need to accept that this comes at a very large price and it is going to rise at double the CPI for the foreseeable future.

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AUSSIE: "Speaking for myself, I could not care less about 298 human beings having their life snuffed out in a nano-second, or what impact that loss has on Members of their family, their parents..."

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longweekend58

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #28 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 10:41am

a friend of mine was in private health insurance and had an undiagnosed brain aneurysm. The public system would have sent him home because it wasn't 'serious' enough. The aneurysm burst in hospital and he was operated on immediately (literally) saving his life. his recuperations bills topped $300K.

public patient outcome: dead
Private patient outcome: alive

what price insurance?

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AUSSIE: "Speaking for myself, I could not care less about 298 human beings having their life snuffed out in a nano-second, or what impact that loss has on Members of their family, their parents..."

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Ex Dame Pansi

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Re: Biggest Rise In Private Health Insurance Premiums.
Reply #29 - Dec 24^th, 2013 at 10:51am

longweekend58 wrote on Dec 24^th, 2013 at 10:41am:

a friend of mine was in private health insurance and had an undiagnosed brain aneurysm. The public system would have sent him home because it wasn't 'serious' enough. The aneurysm burst in hospital and he was operated on immediately (literally) saving his life. his recuperations bills topped $300K.

public patient outcome: dead
Private patient outcome: alive

what price insurance?

Sure Dr longweekend

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"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Hendrix
andrei said: Great isn't it? Seeing boatloads of what is nothing more than human garbage turn up.....

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