Fed: Govt breaks election promise on health insurance costs: ALP
The opposition says the federal government has broken an election promise to stop leapsin private health insurance costs.
Families face an average $138 extra a year for private cover from today after the governmentapproved premium rises averaging about seven per cent.
Opposition health spokesman STEPHEN SMITH has told ABC radio it's a classic illustrationof the HOWARD government slugging families under financial pressure.
He says Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD promised during last year's election to put downwardpressure on health insurance premiums.
But he says documents received during February's Senate estimates hearings reveal theBudget had calculated a 23 per cent increase in premiums over four years.
Health Minister KAY PATTERSON'S spokesman says the government never promised premiumswouldn't go up, but said they'd remain affordable through the 30 per cent rebate.
AAP RTV fh/jmt
KEYWORD: INSURANCE SMITH (CANBERRA)
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий