Pasin warns Labor’s private health rebate cuts will hit Barker seniors

Pasin warns Labor’s private health rebate cuts will hit Barker seniors

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin has warned that thousands of older Australians across the electorate could face significantly higher private health insurance costs under the Albanese Government’s proposed cuts to the private health insurance rebate.

Mr Pasin said around 23,300 Barker residents aged 65 and over currently hold private health cover and stand to be affected by the changes, with some seniors facing increases of up to $807 per year for singles and up to $1,614 per year for couples.

“Older Australians are among the biggest users of health services, which is why the private health insurance rebate has traditionally provided additional support to help them maintain their cover,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Albanese Government is now winding back that support at a time when many seniors are already facing rising household costs.

“Anthony Albanese says helping Australians with the cost of living is his Government’s number one priority, yet this policy will leave many older Australians paying significantly more for the health cover they have worked hard to maintain.

“Older Australians who have worked hard, planned for their retirement and maintained private health insurance should be supported, not penalised.”

Mr Pasin said many seniors would be left facing difficult choices.

“For many retirees and pensioners, these increases represent a substantial additional expense.

“Many older Australians may be forced to cut spending elsewhere, downgrade their cover or abandon it altogether.

“That is not a choice any senior should be forced to make.”

Mr Pasin said the consequences of the policy extended beyond those directly affected.

“If older Australians downgrade or abandon their private health insurance, demand for healthcare does not disappear.

“Labor’s cuts will not reduce demand for healthcare. They will simply shift more Australians from the private system into the public system.

“That means greater pressure on public hospitals and health services that are already under strain.

“At a time when Australians are rightly concerned about access to healthcare, the Government should be encouraging people to maintain private health cover, not making it more expensive.”

Mr Pasin said the policy was both unfair and short-sighted.

“Anthony Albanese says he is focused on cost-of-living relief, but this policy does the exact opposite for thousands of Barker seniors.

“It will make life more expensive, place greater pressure on public hospitals and leave older Australians worse off.

“That is the wrong priority and the wrong outcome for seniors, for taxpayers and for our health system.

“I will continue fighting these changes and encouraging local residents to make their views known.”

Further information, including a petition opposing the changes, is available at:

https://lbr.al/handsoffhealth