FED: Harradine pleased to get aged health included in rebate

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-1998
FED: Harradine pleased to get aged health included in rebate

CANBERRA, Dec 11 AAP - Independent senator Brian Harradine, responsible for getting the
federal governments private health insurance rebate scheme through the Senate last night, was
elated today that a blueprint for aged health care was included in the plan.

The 30 per cent rebate bill passed the Senate shortly before midnight after a compromise
was reached with Senator Harradine that funds provide no-gap policies within 18 months of the
bill coming into effect from January 1.

Distributing copies of the Australian Catholic Health Care Associations coordinated care
plan for disadvantaged elderly people, Senator Harradine said Prime Minister John Howard was
prepared to give it a fair trial with a commitment of $25 million.

"Care for the disadvantaged elderly in particular is often very, very haphazard and you
need some coordination in it to bring together all of the resources to ensure that these are
dealt with in an adequate fashion," Senator Harradine told reporters.

"The Prime Minister did say that the plan would be a very substantial change in our health
care system and the government is prepared to trial it seriously."

Senator Harradine, who until yesterday morning was leaning towards blocking the
controversial legislation, said he was very concerned about people, particularly the elderly,
unable to afford health insurance.

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KEYWORD: INSURANCE HARRADINE DAYLEAD

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