Government faces Greens rebellion over plan to cut older people's private
The government's plan to cut private health rebates for over-65s and save $3 billion faces Greens opposition.
The Albanese government planned to remove age discrimination in private health insurance from April next year. Currently, people 65 and over get bigger rebates than younger people.
The government would save $3 billion over four years. The savings would go to aged care.
On Wednesday, the Senate voted it down. The Greens, led by new leader David Shoebridge, want pensioners completely exempted from any cuts.
Health Minister Mark Butler reintroduced the bill in the House of Representatives on Thursday. Its future remains unclear.
The government now faces weeks of negotiation. There is little room to compromise without losing most of the savings.
- $3 billion
- Budget saving over 4 years
- 1.2 million
- Affected pensioners
- April next year
- Implementation date
Why it mattersOlder Australians on private health insurance face a choice: pay more or drop coverage. The government's budget depends on this saving.
AustraliaIf negotiations fail, aged care funding plans are at risk. If the government backs down significantly, the budget saving shrinks.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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