DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Thursday, 29 December 2005

MORE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS FOR PRIVATE HEALTH FUNDS AS PUBLIC PATIENTS LANGUISH

“Reports today that private health insurance funds have asked for another 7% increase in premiums means that taxpayers will be paying out an extra $160 million per year to pay for the private health insurance(PHI) rebate,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President of the Doctors Reform Society.

“Over 30% of any premium rise is paid for by taxes because of the rebate,” said Dr Woodruff. “That’s $160 million which goes to benefit only the 43% of the population  who can afford PHI, and that’s on top of the $2.4 billion it already costs every year.

All Australians rely on the public hospital system at times, even Kerry Packer (whose life was saved several years ago in a public hospital), but the Federal Government continues to pretend it does not share the responsibility for public hospitals, perhaps hoping that they will become  just a second rate safety net, used only by the most desperate.”

“Our patients wait in pain and anguish to get into public hospitals throughout Australia, and the Federal Government ignores them and continues to help only those who can afford private health insurance,” said Dr Woodruff. “Why are they not governing for all Australians, not just those who can afford ‘choice’.”

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society