Moncrieff Media
Gold Coast to be slugged by Labor’s legislation to means test private health insurance
17 February 2012
The 70,700 residents covered by private health insurance in the Federal electorate of Moncrieff will be hit hard by the decision of Julia Gillard to break another promise and means test the private health insurance rebate.
Moncrieff MP Steven Ciobo said every person in his electorate with private health insurance will pay more because of Labor’s legislation.
“Because of the means test, it is estimated 1.6 million Australians will drop private hospital cover over the next five years and another 4.3 million Australians will downgrade their level of coverage,” he said.
“This will have a dramatic impact on the costs of everyone who remain in private health insurance. The loss of younger members is estimated to increase all premiums by 10 per cent.
“The means test provides that singles earning over $83,000 and families over $166,000 will pay up to $1,000 more.
“The Government’s decision to means test private health insurance will also have a significant impact on the public hospital system.
“The Gold Coast Hospital is already struggling and this is going to make it even worse as people drop out of the private system.
“It is estimated that 845,000 new procedures will be forced onto the public hospitals system putting further pressure on waiting lists.
“Along with the carbon tax this represents another major cost for Gold Coasters and is the latest act of betrayal by the Prime Minister.”
Mr Ciobo said local households are paying a heavy price for Labor’s waste and incompetence and its failure to manage the budget.