Older residents across the Lyne electorate are being urged to add their name to an online petition opposing a federal government move that could leave seniors paying up to $1,600 more a year for private health insurance.
Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold is backing the petition, which calls on the Albanese Government to reverse its proposed reduction of the private health insurance rebate for Australians aged 65 and over. The online petition has been approved by Parliament’s Petitions Committee and is open until Wednesday, 22 July.
Ms Penfold said the policy would hurt the very people who had done the right thing by taking out private cover.
“Lyne is the oldest electorate in the country, and I don’t need statistics to tell me that this terrible policy will hit tens of thousands of local people hard and in their back pocket,” she said.
“For many older Australians, private health insurance is not a luxury. It’s not a ‘rich’ person’s product, as Labor believes. It’s pensioners and self-funded retirees on fixed pensions who have paid for it over many years so they can access care when they need it and help take pressure off the public hospital system.”
Ms Penfold said if seniors were forced to downgrade or drop their cover, the consequences would flow directly to already stretched local hospitals.
“Many seniors are already under real pressure from the cost of living,” she said. “They have worked hard, paid their taxes, and made responsible decisions to look after their own health needs. But every time private health insurance becomes less affordable, more people are forced back into the public system.”
“That puts even more pressure on local hospitals like Manning Base, Port Macquarie Base and Maitland Hospital.”
She said the government needed to hear directly from those affected.
“The Albanese Government needs to hear the roar of older Australians. Only then will we get an ‘oh, we have changed our mind’ rejection of this policy.”
“This is about fairness. Seniors should not be punished for trying to take responsibility for their health care.”
Paper versions of the petition are available to sign at Ms Penfold’s offices in Taree and Wauchope, at regular mobile office visits, and through local businesses and community groups. Organisations wishing to host the petition can contact Ms Penfold’s office directly.
The online petition closes Wednesday, 22 July and can be signed at aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN10102.
Got something you want to say about this story? Have your say on our opinion and comment hub, North Coast Times Engage