Posted by Michael Wonder on 02 May 2019
Labor will not rule out scrapping $6 billion health insurance rebate
2 May 2019 - Labor health spokeswoman Catherine King has refused to rule out scrapping $6 billion-a-year worth of health insurance rebates if elected, setting up a pre-election fight with the Morrison government over the cost of premiums.
Ms King said she would wait for the recommendations of Labor's promised Productivity Commission review of the sector before deciding whether to pursue the controversial policy - which could substantially increase the cost of premiums - if the party wins the May 18 federal election.
Speaking during a televised debate with federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, Ms King said: "I'm not going to rule in or out what the Productivity Commission might recommend or might not recommend, nor what our response would actually be."
