Tasmania's leading not-for-profit health and wellness organisation St Lukes has welcomed concerns raised by both the Coalition and Greens about proposed private health insurance rebate changes, saying the legislation still fails to address significant risks for older Australians and regional health systems.
St Lukes is urging Senators to carefully consider the evidence presented during the inquiry and not support the legislation in its current form.
While the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee has recommended the Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance Rebate) Bill 2026 be passed, Coalition senators recommended the Bill be rejected and the Greens warned it could cause unintended harm to older Australians, particularly pensioners and those living on low and fixed incomes.
St Lukes remains strongly opposed to the Bill, believing the proposed changes would make private health insurance less affordable for older Tasmanians and place additional pressure on the state's health system.
CEO Paul Lupo said the concerns raised in the dissenting reports reflected the evidence presented throughout the inquiry.
"More than 650 submissions were made to the inquiry, with the vast majority raising concerns about affordability, access to care and the potential impact on Australia's health system," Mr Lupo said.
"Importantly, the committee itself acknowledged many of these concerns, yet still recommended the legislation proceed.
"We are urging Tasmanian Senators to carefully consider that evidence and not support the Bill in its current form."
Mr Lupo said it was significant that concerns about the legislation had emerged from across the political spectrum.
"The Coalition has recommended the Bill not be passed, while the Greens have highlighted the need for stronger protections for vulnerable older Australians," he said.
"When senators from opposite ends of the political spectrum reach similar conclusions about the risks of a proposal, that should give the Government pause.
"We support investment in aged care, but not at the expense of older Australians who have maintained private health insurance throughout their lives.
"There is still an opportunity to pursue aged care reform in a way that protects older Australians and avoids adding further pressure to regional health systems."