Publication: The Sydney Morning Herald
Section: Federal Budget
Date: 13 May 2011
Article excerpt:
The government intends to go ahead with a controversial plan to means test the 30 per cent rebate on private health insurance coverage, even as the industry claims the final impact will be higher costs for the government and public.
The government previously claimed it would see $2 billion in savings over the next four years from the change, but said today it would lay out a new estimate on the amount savings when the legislation was introduced into Parliament for the third time later this year, after two earlier unsuccessful attempts.
When asked about the timing of the legislation introduction, a spokesman for Health Minister Nicola Roxon's office, said it would be "soon".
Under means testing, singles earning less than $80,000 a year, or couples earning less than $160,000, would see no changes, Ms Roxon's office said.
