DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Thursday, 20 January 2005

Insurance Companies Confirm Private Health Too Expensive

“Reports in the Australian today that the insurance industry has complained to the Productivity Commission that private health care is too expensive are no surprise but demand that taxpayer support for private health care be reconsidered,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

“The cheapist and fairest way to provide health care to everyone is through the public system,” said Dr Woodruff. “This is an admission by the insurance industry that taxes shouldn’t be wasted supporting them, and could be much better spent improving our public system on which everyone depends”

“Our patients are facing year long waiting lists in public hospitals, hours or even days in emergency departments, or ever increasing private health insurance premiums if they can afford them,” said Dr Woodruff. “Our patients are losing. It’s time the Government accepted that the public system is cheaper, more efficient, and fairer that the uncontrollable profit driven private health industry.” 

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society

Dr Con Costa

Vice President

Doctors Reform Society