Beleaguered private health bill on ice as government fails to secure support
Controversial private health insurance changes affecting older Australians are now on life support, after the legislation was effectively thrown out of parliament by the Coalition and crossbench.
The controversial private health insurance bill, aimed at reducing rebates for Australians aged 65 and over, has been thwarted by the Coalition and crossbench in parliament. Health Minister Mark Butler is committed to reintroducing the bill on Thursday. The proposal would have saved $3 billion over four years by reducing the rebate, which would be redirected to aged care services.
However, the Greens joined forces with the Coalition and Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie to strike the bill from the parliamentary agenda, arguing it unfairly targets pensioners. The government is facing criticism from various quarters, including the states, aged care sector, and health economists.
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