Extra Funding for Dental Services After Private Health Fees Increase
The Australian Government has agreed to inject $165 million into dental services after the Greens agreed to support a new bill to increase private health insurance fees for the wealthiest citizens.
The Green Party has been campaigning for better access to dental care for low income families since they agreed to join the coalition after Julia Gillard’s Labor party failed to gain the majority vote. The government has since stalled, claiming that there was no money available for a new dental system, however, they have agreed to an extra $165 of funding in exchange for the backing of the Greens in a bill to means test private health insurance.
The bill has also received the support of independent politicians, Andrew Wilkie and Rob Oakeshott.
When the legislation is passed, it is believed that the government will receive an extra $2 billion.
Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek, said today that the health bill would be passed by the House of Representatives and would mean that people who earn $50,000 per year would not be helping to cover the cost of people who earn $250,000 per year.
The bill will mean that families with incomes of more $166,000 and singles who earn more than $83,000 will face higher health insurance premiums and fees are expected to increase by between $315 and $935 per year.
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