Our private healthcare system is a mess -- right now, complex rules mean people on private insurance aren’t fully covered for pregnancy and mental health.

Private insurers are raking it in, with premiums rising by 18% last year -- but that hasn’t translated to better care for women going through pregnancy, or those suffering from mental health conditions.

Pregnancy care is an issue that affects everyone, and with mental health issues on the rise, it’s time we asked ourselves what we consider important as a society.

Private corporations are prioritising their bottom line instead of providing care for their patients -- that doesn’t sound fair to me.

It’s time to tell private insurers to start doing their jobs properly and simplify the system: put people before profits!

Tell private insurers to stop thinking about their bottom line and put the care of patients first!

Dr Michael Gannon, head of the Australian Medical Association, has blown the whistle on private health insurance companies putting their profits ahead of care.

Private health insurance is overly complicated for both doctors and patients, he said, with too many policies offering inappropriate cover.

“There are more than 20,000 policy variations around the country [that] are littered with inconsistent terminology and a bewildering array of exclusions, caveats... and excesses. Private health insurance should serve the needs of health consumers who have paid for it.”

With costs increases not necessarily translating to better healthcare outcomes, it’s time for a major change.

It’s the responsibility of private companies to ensure people get the care they need: let’s call on them to do the right thing and provide cover for issues as serious as mental health and pregnancy to everyone.

When Tony Abbott’s government tried to levy a ‘sick tax’ on patients going to see their GPs, over 65,000 SumOfUs members like you came together to stand against the changes. Now let’s tell private insurers to simplify the system and stop denying coverage to those most in need.

Tell private insurers to simplify the system and put the care of patients first!

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