THE SENIOR
SURGEONS have warned that proposed changes to private health insurance rebates for older Australians could push more patients into already stretched public hospitals and lead to dangerous delays in cancer treatment.
The Federal Government plans to remove the higher age-based private health insurance rebate currently available to Australians aged 65 and over, replacing it with a system based solely on income.
Government modelling suggests about 44,000 older Australians could abandon private health insurance if the changes pass Parliament.
However, industry estimates suggest the number could be significantly higher.
Private Healthcare Australia has forecast around 62,000 people could drop their cover, while another 200,000 may downgrade their policies next year.
The Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand has urged the Government to reconsider the proposal, warning the move could place additional pressure on public colorectal surgery waiting lists.
Society president Frank Frizelle and vice president Dr Michael Johnston said delays in bowel cancer treatment could have serious consequences.
“Waiting is not benign,” they wrote in a submission to a Senate inquiry examining the legislation.
They said bowel cancer outcomes were strongly linked to how early the disease was detected and treated.
When found and removed early, about 95 per cent of patients can be cured, they said, but five-year survival falls dramatically once the cancer has spread.
“A delay that allows a cancer to advance even one stage can be the difference between cure and terminal diagnosis,” they said.
The proposed changes have also attracted opposition from several state governments.
Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia have all raised concerns about the possible impact on public hospitals.
