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Dr Rachel David spoke with ABC Radio Drive about the impact of proposed private health insurance rebate changes on older Australians
Transcript Station: ABC RadioProgram: DriveDate: 12/10/2026Time: 4:11 PMCompere: Jessica Naunton Interviewee: Dr Rachel David, CEO, Australian Health Funds Council (formerly…
Dr Rachel David spoke with 5AA radio in Adelaide about the rising cost to see a specialist doctor
Look, we don’t know. We knew that they were tracking up slightly along the lines of CPI until about the…
Dr Rachel David spoke with ABC radio about the Government’s plan to reduce the higher health insurance rebate for pensioners aged 65 plus
Look, I think we need to leave the private health insurance rebate alone. It’s already been means tested. There are…
Dr Rachel David spoke with 6PR radio Perth about rising specialist doctors’ fees
Well, it’s been it’s been that way for a very long time. The ability for specialists to charge what they…
Dr Rachel David spoke with 3AW about the Albanese Government’s plan to reduce the higher health insurance rebate for people aged 65+
We were told a little bit prior to the budget when Minister Butler was making his press club statement, but…
Why payment integrity matters for every health insurance member
By Dr Rachel David When Australians pay their health insurance premiums, they expect that money to be there when they…
Media Releases
Private Healthcare Australia becomes Australian Health Funds Council
Private Healthcare Australia has today become the Australian Health Funds Council (AHFC), unveiling a new name and identity that better…
Older Australians have been heard: Health funds welcome Senate decision on health insurance rebate
Australian Health Funds Council (formerly Private Healthcare Australia) has welcomed today’s Senate decision to remove the Government’s proposed cuts to…
Health insurers urge the Government to reconsider rebate cut set to impact 1.5 million pensioners after Senate committee recommends the Bill proceed
The Australian Greens are right to raise concerns about the impact the Government’s planned private health insurance rebate cuts will…
Specialist doctor fee crackdown must go beyond extreme outliers
Australian Health Funds Council has welcomed the Government’s move to address excessive fees charged by specialist doctors with a range…
Health insurance rebate cuts will push older Australians onto longer hospital waiting lists
Hundreds of thousands of older Australians are expected to lose access to private health services, including common surgical procedures and…
New polling reveals strong opposition to the Government’s health insurance rebate cut
New research has revealed strong opposition to the Albanese Government’s plan to slash the higher private health insurance rebate for…
Private health system reforms must keep health insurance affordable
Australian Health Funds Council has welcomed the Federal Government’s consultation on potential reforms to Australia’s private health sector, saying the…
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Interviews and Transcripts
Dr Rachel David spoke with ABC Radio Drive about the impact of proposed private health insurance rebate changes on older Australians
October 12, 2026
Dr Rachel David spoke with 5AA radio in Adelaide about the rising cost to see a specialist doctor
September 14, 2026
Dr Rachel David spoke with ABC radio about the Government’s plan to reduce the higher health insurance rebate for pensioners aged 65 plus
September 14, 2026
Fact Checks
In 2016–17, operating profits in the private hospital sector were split relatively evenly between insurers and hospitals. By 2022–23, the insurers were taking 90 per cent of the profit compared to 10 per cent for private hospitals.
August 15, 2024
Private hospitals are in crisis and need additional funding from the federal government and health funds to remain viable.
February 7, 2025
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) data shows health insurance companies have “short-changed” private hospitals $3 billion over the past three years.
February 12, 2025
