Yes, savings from increased participation in private insurance outweigh the costs the government incurs by subsidising private health insurance rebates. But rebates can be better targeted.
- Professor of Health Economics, University of Bologna, University of Newcastle
The fines for failing to wear a mask during Melbourne’s lockdown have been criticised as ‘punitive’. But the fact that masks are cheap or free, with huge public health benefits, makes it justifiable.
The spread of the virus through households creates costs higher than for isolation in hotels when families are large and living at close quarters as in Melbourne’s public housing towers.
Young people should pay less for private health insurance. So should people who are healthy, as they’re less likely to access private health care.
Business Briefing: treat the cause not the symptoms of problems with private health insurance
The Conversation10.5 MB (download)
If customers are questioning the value of private health insurance its because of the way the system is distorted by government incentives.
All insurers would have to provide a comprehensive set of health services to its customer, covering all aspects of their health care.
Any new such financing system would need to carefully balance competition and choice, with affordability of coverage and equal access to quality care.
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