Before cutting private health insurance rebates, the government should hear older Australians who rely on cover as a safeguard against delay, uncertainty and worsening health.

Before making changes to private health insurance rebates, the Australian government must listen to the thousand of older Australians who aren’t seeking luxury or privilege but simply trying to protect their access to timely healthcare.

As the government considers changes to the private health insurance rebate in April 2027, I ask that they listen to the thousands of older Australians whose voices are often missing from this debate.

They are older Australians who aren’t wealthy, who aren’t looking for special treatment and who don’t see private health insurance as a symbol of privilege. Many have carried insurance for years because they believe it offers some security if their health deteriorates.

For them, private health insurance isn’t about avoiding the public system, it’s about uncertainty and the fear of what may happen if they lose access to timely care.

The debate about the private health insurance rebate is often presented as a choice between supporting private insurers or investing more in Medicare. It’s understandable that governments must consider how public money is spent, but it’s also true that Medicare must be protected and strengthened and that Australians deserve a simpler, fairer and more accessible health system.

However, there is another part of this conversation that deserves greater attention.

Many older Australians hold private hospital cover not because they want luxury, but because they live with chronic illnesses, ongoing medical conditions and the realities of ageing. They........

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