Abbott to sell Medibank

[i-need-a-martini]

There goes the benchmark that keeps our insurance premiums at a decent level.

I don't even understand why this is even necessary given that Medibank makes a profit? It's as if decisions are being made without any thought goig into it other than they promised to do it in 2007 so this is their way of punishing voters for not voting for them in at that time.

What other reason could there be?

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbott-moves-towards-medibank-private-selloff-...

[boris1gary]

[lakeland27]

Polly want's to send the cracker factory offshore ..

[monman12]

INAM: "........ If I recall correctly, last year Medibank Private returned the government a profit of $400m last year."
FN: "Medicare brings in about $400million a year"

Medibank made (after tax) a profit of $233 million in fiscal 2013.

B1G: "....the Coalition government has allowed private insurance premiums to rise by a generous 6.2% this year (inflation is 2%)" 
Inflation has not been at or below 2% this year (or for a year) currently it is 2.75% and the premium rise is an average and vetted/approved first by the Private Health Insurance Administration Council (PHIAC).                

TB: "Once Medibank has been sold off you will see a rapid increase in fees coupled with a similarly rapid decrease in services covered...."
I suggest you study the regulatory conditions apropos fee increases for private health funds, as the regulations will  not be "sold off",  then consider that there are over 30 other health funds in competition with Medibank. at the moment

What is the medical term I wonder for an inability to  research basic facts ?

"Former Medibank Private chairman Paul McClintock has called the government’s ownership of the health insurer an “aberration” less than two weeks after leaving the job
Mr McClintock, who was chairman for six years, previously had not been able to express his views on whether the country’s largest health insurer should be sold."

It would appear that the below two statements hold true,  judging by the "accuracy" and "research"  displayed within this thread:

"It’s probable that public attitudes to privatisation are more a visceral response, rather than a rational consideration of economic reasons why some activities should be in the public sector and why some should be in the private sector."

"What this means, in simple terms, is that “bad” privatisations have driven out the opportunities for “good” privatisations, such as Medibank Private. It’s the price we pay for a dumbed-down public discourse."

Finally to those who embrace the ABC Fact Check team here is one of theirs  for:

"ABC Fact Check has taken a closer look at Medibank Private's place in the private health insurance industry and whether privatisation will lead to higher premiums. "

Result:

Medibank Private operates like a commercial business, with performance measured by the amount of profit it makes. A privatised Medibank Private may try to raise premiums, but it will still have to deal with strong government regulations and a highly competitive market.

   

"It's not actually legal for sheep or goats to vote"

[freakiness]

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@monman12 wrote:

"It's not actually legal for sheep or goats to vote"

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Should I be flattered?

[catsnknots]

I see Boris and LL have become firm friends... thought that might happen in time. 

How have you been LL??? Hope you are well! It has been  along time since I saw you. 

[lakeland27]

Hi cat i think the poster you refer too has their own thoughts. besides i dont try to befriend ladies here or anywhere else   .i'm well enough thankyou, and glad things look good for you as well. pity about the lost tax threshhold though.

[catsnknots]

Boris often finds her thoughts from the communist party web site.... she is very open about that... 

I find that your thoughts are more original... slightly annoying to my right minded sense of politics but much better than the communist one. 

and there are a few tax issue I am not happy with... but I am willing to work a bit harder and make some wiser choices so I can take my burden of helping pay back the labor Debt. 

[boris1gary]

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@catsnknots wrote:

Boris often finds her thoughts from the communist party web site.... she is very open about that... 

I find that your thoughts are more original... slightly annoying to my right minded sense of politics but much better than the communist one. 

and there are a few tax issue I am not happy with... but I am willing to work a bit harder and make some wiser choices so I can take my burden of helping pay back the labor Debt. 

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Thanks for that cat - i have alway's found why type lots of words yourself when someone from somewhere you trust (and used to work at) has already done it and often a lot better than i could myself, political positions are political positions - original doesn't really come into it, we aren't talking works of art.

People do tend to want facts and figures when talking economics- weird that.

[boris1gary]

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@lakeland27 wrote:

Hi cat i think the poster you refer too has their own thoughts. besides i dont try to befriend ladies here or anywhere else   .i'm well enough thankyou, and glad things look good for you as well. pity about the lost tax threshhold though.

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oh i'm hurt now - and I thought you were a lady

[freakiness]

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@catsnknots wrote:

Boris often finds her thoughts from the communist party web site.... she is very open about that... 

I find that your thoughts are more original... slightly annoying to my right minded sense of politics but much better than the communist one. 

and there are a few tax issue I am not happy with... but I am willing to work a bit harder and make some wiser choices so I can take my burden of helping pay back the labor Debt. 

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Yeah, because a recession would have been so much better than a relatively small, manageable debt.