Private health insurance is a dud. That’s why a majority of Australians don’t have it | Grogonomics

Final submissions are being made by private health insurers to the government for an increase in insurance premiums next year .

In light of reports they are seeking increases above 5% , it is worth remembering that private health insurance is a terrible way to deliver good health outcomes.

Even with all the carrots and sticks designed to force people to take out health insurance, a majority of Australians do not want it.

At some point a health minister might ponder that if people prefer the public health system, then maybe government should just fund it better and stop pretending subsidised private health delivers much other than a dud product that most people don’t want and hate even when they have it. - Greg Jericho is a Guardian columnist and policy director at the Centre for Future Work .