I'd prefer it if this thread didn't degenerate to fast http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...lth-fund-in-2012/story-fncyva0b-1226545092088
Sounds like the oldies need the youngens to stay in private health care. Otherwise, it's premiums TO DA MOON!!!
Is it for legal reasons that older people don't pay more for private health cover than young people? I mean, if I live at Logan, I pay a lot more to insure my car than if I lived at Camp Hill. The same doesn't apply to private health cover wrt age?
It's simple really - Unsustainable systems inevitably fail. We in the Western countries have lived a credit based lifestyle which gave us far more than we could really afford. Now the credit has run out and the inevitable adjustment will begin manifesting - The living standards, wages, "entitlements" and health care of countries like China will begin rising and those of countries like Australia will fall until an average level is reached. Globalisation is the great leveller - We are no longer capable of making anything at a price point that either Australians or anyone else will buy, our retail is dying and government tax revenues are falling. The wheel has stopped, the ball is on zero and the casino is sending over Rocco and Moose to collect. Better start looking after your health very carefully because the safety net is gone. The dole, super and all kinds of other "entitlements" are next. The incredible spike in living standards in the west since 1950 was as much an anomaly as the Hunt Bros. silver price spike. Reverting to the mean is inevitable. If you are making any lifestyle choices that mean health problems down the line it's time to stop because in 10 years time you aint gonna get a free hip replacement.
Don't see it? Many people don't. Much of what we see around us is all related in one way or another Most can connect the dots on the more obvious events and market conditions but strangely (to me, anyway) very few can see how it's all interconnected, like a big spiders web One ripple here has a flow on effect there That's half the problem with a lot of decision making out there right now - very narrow mind sets and almost non existent appreciation of flow on effects (no matter how critical) for those choices being made We are heading into a period of turbulent change right now that will only become obvious to the masses after its reached a point where it cannot be reverted
The medical profession is trying to keep people alive for longer at an ever escalating cost. It's another ponzi scheme that will come crashing down.
I read somewhere that life expectancy when the Age Pension was introduced was about one year longer than the age the pension commenced. Draw from that what you will. I hope for a long life. As long as I maintain a healthy mind.
The main problem is the private reserve bank system, remove paying interest on money to an offshore banking cartel and suddenly there is more cash to go round.
Perhaps the over 60's have been paying their premiums for the past 50 years, don't be too quick to condemn.
No-one thus far has condemned the over 60's. Also - just because someone pays into a fund for 50 years it just means that they've been covered for the past 50 years. Nothing more.
The trick to any ponzi scheme like health insurance is to have more people come in. Due to our aging demographics and 1st world birth rates, that can only be achieved by attracting in young immigrants. That's where KRudd's "Big Australia" concept came from of a population of 40 Million in 2030... (Remember the outrage it garnered?) it's the only way they (the Govt) can achieve a tax base big enough to fund our retirees. We will be in a battle with the other western nations to start attracting the best young people from around the world. Once people realise that, those Aussies bitching about all the Kiwi's and Irish over here taking our jobs etc will start prefering them over the other nationalities more foreign to us.
Yes, I guess I did get off onto a tangent... What I am getting at is that the health cover system is no different to all of the funded systems both public and private that are facing a demand from customers that is surpassing the available funding for that system coupled with the spiralling cost increases of providing the service.
I read a US centric book written in mid-late 80's all about the upcoming demographic problems posed by the retirement of the Baby Boomers. So TPTB / central powers / governments / academics have been aware of these "issues" for a long long time now. That's why we have had schemes such as the baby bonus and super. Private health insurance is another such attempt to address the looming crisis. Yes, I said crisis because that's what it's going to be. An interesting scenario was put forward in the book. It suggested that pensioners would commit crimes in order to be gaoled so that they can receive three square meals a day, shelter and medical care. At the end of the day someone has to pay. No condemnation intended, but if society hasn't put aside money for the Boomers then it'll be Gen-X and younger that will have to pay. That's assuming they can pay.
