As someone who has private health insurance, I think the argument about it reducing costs of the public system are misleading.
My main claims over the last few years have been costs for the birth of my children.
Obstetricians are $6k a pop and then there are all ultrasounds, tests etc. But who pays for this - the taxpayer pays for nearly all of it anyway via medicare refunds, particularly since Howard bought in the medicare safety net. But private obstetricians are a lot more expensive than using the public system where you just see your GP instead. Ultrasounds etc are all more expensive as well (as I understand). And then I get a 30% subsidy from the Government.
So suspect my choosing to go private (well my wife choosing) has resulted in a higher cost to the taxpayer, not less.
