The decision by the federal government to cut the rebates on private health insurance premiums for around 4.4m older Australians from 1 April 2027 has spurred resentment among the affected population, according to a new opinion poll.
A news report on news website www.nine.com.au said a new opinion poll conducted by public opinion research firm RedBridge has revealed that 39% of 1505 participants in the poll aged 65 and above would drop their private health insurance cover when their rebate is lowered to the same rate as other people on the same income from 1 April next year.
Private Healthcare Australia Chief Executive Dr Rachel David said the data suggests more people would drop their cover than the federal government’s estimate of 44,000 people.
She said, “I have never seen so much genuine anger about a government policy before. Older people are furious about this. Many of them have been investing in health insurance for decades and right when they need to use their cover most, the government is forcing them to pay hundreds more a year for it.”
The federal government is seeking to lower the high private health insurance rebate for people 65 and over to the same rate as other people on the same income from 1 April 2027. The government has said that the A$11bn ($7.7bn) in savings from the policy change will be invested in aged care services in a move that will promote intergenerational equity.
Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Mr Mark Butler had earlier said that the move to cut the health insurance rebate would not be welcomed but it is the right thing to do.
The poll findings, however, reveal that people across generations are sceptical that the policy change would create fairness.