House debates Questions without Notice

Medicare Levy Surcharge

Thursday, 25 September 2008 House of Representatives

Peter Dutton

Peter Dutton Dickson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing

2:23 pm

My question is also to the Minister for Health and Ageing. I refer the minister to the Senate inquiry into the changes to the Medicare levy surcharge. The submission of private health insurer NIB states:

The proposal has seriously affected investor confidence in the private healthcare sector … The consequences can only be less investment in private sector services and infrastructure such as hospital beds. Of course this will only place further pressure on the public health system …

Will the minister guarantee that private health insurance premiums will not rise and that public hospital waiting lists will not grow as a result of the government’s changes to the Medicare levy?

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