Is it time to ditch the private health insurance rebate?

As the federal election nears, this is a question that Labor can't ignore, writes Dr Stephen Duckett (PhD)
Enterprise Professor Stephen Duckett
Hospital

This is part of a major series called Advancing Australia, in which leading academics examine the key issues facing Australia in the lead-up to the 2019 federal election and beyond. Read the other pieces in the series here.

This election campaign, Labor’s health focus is expected to be on Medicare, which it regards as one of its defining achievements. But with almost half the population covered by private health insurance, Labor needs to tread carefully on this vexed topic.