‘Deeply concerned’: Pensioners sound alarm over Labor’s health insurance rebate changes

Shadow Regional Health Minister Anne Webster rips into the Labor government over plans to reduce private health insurance rebates for Australians aged over 65. “We have so many people around Australia who are deeply concerned about this and who are saying that they will not be able to continue to pay for their health insurance because they’re now pensioners, or they’re self-funded retirees on an ongoing low income,” Ms Webster told News24 host Chris Kenny. “I have met today with National Seniors Australia … they say that the modelling says only 44,000 people will be impacted. Well, National Seniors Australia have done their surveys; they say the number will be closer to 400,000 older Australians who will reduce their cover, and potentially 270,000 Australians who will drop out of their cover altogether.”