Abstract
Kevin Cox is to be congratulated for promoting the concept of a health savings account. However, establishing an account and diverting tax cuts into it is only the beginning of reform. Many related initiatives need to be put in place otherwise people may see the account as delivering something akin to Paul Keating’s equally infamous L.A.W. tax cuts.
First, many people have a justifiable degree of cynicism about private health funds. They see premiums rise, but are often dismayed at the level of return they receive when making a claim, after which there can still be considerable medical bills to pay.
If health funds had to submit applications for approval of premium increases to the independent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to make a ruling on, rather than the Health Minister, then an element of the political controversy could be taken out of the debate on public health.
First, many people have a justifiable degree of cynicism about private health funds. They see premiums rise, but are often dismayed at the level of return they receive when making a claim, after which there can still be considerable medical bills to pay.
If health funds had to submit applications for approval of premium increases to the independent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to make a ruling on, rather than the Health Minister, then an element of the political controversy could be taken out of the debate on public health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Specialist publication | On Line Opinion: Australia's e-journal of social and political debate |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Jan 2008 |