Stirling Griff (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 5, standing in my name and in the name of Senator Xenophon, proposing a reference to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee relating to the affordability of private health insurance and out-of-pocket medical costs before asking that it be taken as a formal motion.

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senator Xenophon, move the motion as amended:

That the following matters be referred on 1 June 2017 to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 27 November 2017:

The value and affordability of private health insurance and out-of-pocket medical costs, with particular reference to:

The value and affordability of private health insurance and out-of-pocket medical costs, with particular reference to:

  (a)   private and public hospital costs and the interaction between the private and public hospital systems including private patients in public hospitals and any impact on waiting lists;

  (b)   the effect of co-payments and medical gaps on financial and health outcomes;

  (c)   private health insurance product design including product exclusions and benefit levels, including rebate consistency and public disclosure requirements;

  (d)   the use and sharing of membership and related health data;

  (e)   the take-up rates of private health insurance, including as they relate to the Medicare levy surcharge and Lifetime Health Cover loading;

  (f)   the relevance and consistency of standards, including those relating to informed financial consent for medical practitioners, private health insurance providers and private hospitals;

  (g)   medical services delivery methods, including health care in homes and other models;

  (h)   the role and function of:

     (i)   medical pricing schedules, including the Medicare Benefits Schedule, the Australian Medical Association fee schedule and private health insurers’ fee schedules,

     (ii)   the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) in regulating private health insurers, and

     (iii)   the Department of Health and the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman in regulating private health insurers and private hospital operators;

  (i)   the current government incentives for private health;

  (j)   the operation of relevant legislative and regulatory instruments; and

  (k)   any other related matter.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Private health insurance is important and valuable. Private health insurance reduces pressure on waiting times at hospitals; offers Australians greater choice of treatment; provides coverage of services, such as dental and optical; and gives patients their choice of doctor. The Turnbull government realises cost-of-living pressures are a major concern for Australian families. The government is determined that more can be done to get better value for families. The government has established the Private Health Ministerial Advisory Committee, led by Dr Jeff Harmer AO, which is already looking at ways to provide better value for money. Through this group, Minister Hunt will work with insurers over the next year to find ways insurers can deliver more value for customers without compromising on the quality of cover. As such, the government does not support using the Senate's limited resources for an additional inquiry.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Greens will be supporting this motion. As the chair of the committee, I would like to let the chamber know that the community affairs committee is very overworked. While we welcome all the inquiries that are referred to us, we want to let the chamber know that we will have difficulty processing this until the week after the budget. Senator Griff understands that, and I understand Labor does too. We will not be doing any work on this, with the acknowledgement of the chamber, until after budget week. Then, of course, it will be full steam ahead.

Question agreed to.