20/05/2026

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan has come out swinging on behalf of his constituents directly affected by the impending changes to Private Health Insurance rebates for those aged over 65. Under the changes contained in the FY27 Budget Announcement, older Australians will be forced to pay up to $1,600 more for their private health insurance per year, putting significant pressure on household budgets, particularly for retirees on limited and fixed incomes.

“Since the day that this disastrous policy announcement was made earlier this month, my office has been inundated with pleas from directly effected constituents asking for my help to stop the changes coming to pass,” Mr Conaghan stated.

“In my electorate of Cowper, over 26,000 residents will be negatively impacted. In many cases, these are people who are already sacrificing other essentials in order to be able to afford the health cover they vitally need.

“Regional Australians are acutely aware of the shortcomings and extended waitlists seen in our public hospitals, and these older Aussies have taken the necessary steps not only to safeguard their own health and wellbeing, but to responsibly take pressure off an already stretched system.

“And Labor’s reward to them for that careful planning? ANOTHER bill to add to their ever-increasing cost-of-living pressures. This is the section of our community least able to generate additional income. What alternatives do they have? Either be forced to cancel their insurance or forced to choose between regular meals and their health care. It’s appalling. And the Coalition will be voting ‘no’ to these changes on behalf of our communities.”

Local pensioners, Cynthia and Ross Allan, contacted Pat to tell him about their personal concerns with the changes.

“My wife Cynthia and I are aged pensioners. To be able to afford the care that we have needed for Cynthia in recent years due to her breast cancer diagnosis, I have already had to cancel my own private health insurance. Our home and contents insurance went up $30 per month in April. Our power bills keep increasing every quarter despite being careful with our use. We are already struggling and I fear we cannot take on the extra burden that the rebate removal will impose on our household. And without the insurance, Cynthia will not be able to get the level of care she needs locally. At our age, we can’t earn extra money. Doesn’t the PM understand the terrible position he is putting us in?” Mr Allan stated.

Dr Rachel David, CEO of Private Healthcare Australia, noted the increase in Australians choosing to take up Private Health Insurance to access better health outcomes.

“Over the past five years, an increasing number of Australians have invested in health insurance so they can receive rapid medical treatment in a private hospital with their own choice of doctor if they need it.

“Across Australia, two thirds of elective surgery and more than half the inpatient beds used for mental illness and addictions are funded by private health funds. These people are contributing to their own healthcare and taking pressure off the public health system,” Dr David said.

Matthew Koce, CEO of Members Health Fund Alliance, stressed the risks of cost shifting from Commonwealth to State facilities.

“If private hospitals become financially unviable, the consequences will extend far beyond retirees,” Mr Koce said.

“Carers, families and younger Australians who rely on timely elective surgery and specialist care would also face longer waits and reduced access as demand shifts onto already overstretched public hospitals.

“Delays in treatment also place significant additional pressure on family members and unpaid carers, many of whom are already balancing work, caring responsibilities and rising household costs.”

ENDS