Barefoot … You’re a Vulgar, Right-Wing, Nutjob

Hi Scott
 
You are a piece of work. The problems in the private health insurance industry have been ongoing for years, and Labor has been in power since the middle of 2022. That didn’t bother you! Instead you chose a cheap political hit-job on a very hardworking minister (Mark Butler). For all your spin, the facts are the facts: the more people we have in private health insurance, the less strain on the public system. In the future, keep your vulgar right-wing comments to yourself.
 
Linda
 
Hi Linda,
 
Given we’re talking about healthcare, I suggest you check your blood pressure (it might be a smidge high). A few weeks ago I was accused of being a Greens Party shill – this week you’re saying I’m to the right of John Howard. So I must be doing something right.
 
Now the hardworking minister got caught in my squirrel grip because he’s the guy in charge who can make changes. Fact is, the Government whacks people with a stick to buy private health insurance, but does nothing to rein in the deliberately confusing way it’s sold to us.
 
That’s not just my opinion: this week I was inundated with readers’ responses (many from workers in the industry!) telling me how unaffordable it is, how confusing it is, the gaps and the gotchas, and generally how terrible the industry is.
 
And to your point, a research paper by Melbourne University set out to answer whether private health insurance cuts public hospital waiting lists. They found it barely made a dent. Right, left or Green, the message is clear: the industry needs a bloody shake-up.

Scott.