Australia’s private health insurance industry in a ‘death spiral’, report says

Grattan Institute report says industry can't keep asking federal government for support, and underlying problems such as ageing population and rising healthcare costs need to be addressed

Australia's private health insurance industry is in a death spiral" and the federal government and the industry must agree on significant overhauls if the system is to be sustainable into the future, a report from health thinktank the Grattan Institute says.

The causes of the malaise are well documented and include an ageing population, increased use of healthcare services, and rising healthcare costs that drive up premiums and make health insurance less affordable - and less attractive - to young and healthy people in particular.