Private health insurance is a dud. That’s why a majority of Australians don’t have it

‘Those who are “covered” [by private health insurance] are covered in the sense that a Band-Aid covers a gaping wound.’ Photograph: Penny Stephens/The Guardian

Right now final submissions are being made by private health insurers to the government for an increase in insurance premiums next year. In light of reports they are seeking increases above 5%, it is worth remembering that private health insurance is a terrible way to deliver good health outcomes.

You can’t say public policy is always worse in America, but aside from how they conduct elections, the one policy the US does worse than anywhere else is healthcare.