Bill
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
passed, as at 2018-09-21. Health portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Health
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2018-03-28
- second reading — 2018-03-28
- second reading — 2018-05-31
- second reading — 2018-05-31
- third reading — 2018-05-31
- introduced — 2018-06-18
- second reading — 2018-06-18
- second reading — 2018-09-10
- second reading — 2018-09-10
- committee — 2018-09-10
- third reading — 2018-09-10
- other — 2018-09-11
- passed — 2018-09-11
- royal assent — 2018-09-21
Divisions
- The majority voted against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2018-05-31.5.1) introduced by Labor MP [Catherine King](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/ballarat/catherine_king), which means it failed. ### What was the motion? The motion would have amended the usual [second reading motion](https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/making-a-law.html) *"that the bill be read a second time"* (reading a bill a second time means that the majority agrees with the main idea of the bill): > *That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:* > *“whilst not declining to give [the bill](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/r6081) a second reading, the House expresses its concern that this bill may allow insurers to cancel cover unilaterally, and that higher excesses may make it even harder for Australians to afford care”.* — 2018-05-31, House of Representatives: negative, ayes 61, noes 70
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2018-06-19.208.2): > *That the following bills be referred to the [Community Affairs Legislation Committee](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs) for inquiry and report by 13 August 2018:* > >> *(a) [Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill 2018](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/r6081);* >> >> *(b) [A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge-Fringe Benefits) Amendment (Excess Levels for Private Health Insurance Policies) Bill 2018](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/r6072); and* >> >> *(c) [Medicare Levy Amendment (Excess Levels for Private Health Insurance Policies) Bill 2018](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/r6073).* — 2018-06-19, Senate: affirmative, ayes 37, noes 29
- The majority voted against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2018-09-10.27.2) introduced by Labor Senator [Helen Polley](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/tasmania/helen_polley) (Tas), which means it failed. This motion would have changed the [second reading motion](https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/making-a-law.html), which is "*that the bills be read for a second time*" or, in other words, "*that the majority agree with the main idea of the bills*". ### Motion text > *At the end of the motion, add:* > *", but the Senate condemns the Government for putting insurer profits before patients, forcing Australians to either drop their private health insurance, or pay more and more for less and less."* — 2018-09-10, Senate: negative, ayes 29, noes 31
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2018-09-10.35.1) introduced by Greens Senator [Richard Di Natalie](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/victoria/richard_di_natale) (Vic), which means it succeeded. This motion will change the [second reading motion](https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/making-a-law.html), which is "*that the bills be read for a second time*" or, in other words, "*that the majority agree with the main idea of the bills*". ### Motion text > *At the end of the motion, add:* > *", but the Senate calls on the government, as a matter of urgency, to refer to the Productivity Commission the matter of whether the private health insurance rebate promotes the economically efficient operation of the health system."* — 2018-09-10, Senate: affirmative, ayes 32, noes 29
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2018-03-28.
This bill is one of three that would put into effect government health insurance changes announced in October 2017.
It would amend the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 to let insurers offer lower premiums to younger people, increase the maximum voluntary excess, and pay for travel and accommodation for rural patients.
The bill would also give the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman new powers to inspect insurers' premises and conduct audits.
- The bill would allow age-based discounts on hospital insurance premiums.
- It would raise the maximum voluntary excess that policyholders can choose to pay.
- Insurers could cover travel and accommodation costs for people in regional areas as part of hospital treatment.
- The bill would let insurers end products and move affected policyholders to new ones.
- Consumer information requirements would be improved.
- The Ombudsman's powers would be strengthened to include inspections and audits at insurers' premises.
Private health insurers, policyholders (including regional Australians), and the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman.
Sources
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billhome
frl act