Labor’s bill to cut private health insurance rebate blocked by Greens over pensioner carve-out

Almost 80,000 older Australians expected to end private health cover by 2028-29 as a result of Albanese government’s proposal Labor’s bid to cut the private health insurance rebate for over-65s has been blocked in parliament, with the Greens insisting they will withhold support unless pensioners receive a carve-out from the new rules. The proposed changes, which would take effect from April 2027, would save the federal budget $3bn.