In the three years of the Abbott/Turnbull government my premium has increased by 31% …

After I received an incorrect bill from Medibank for $3,234.34 for the latest quarter I phoned its free number to object – but I had to wait 27 minutes before actually speaking to someone who then informed me that our conversation was being recorded.

The polite and respectful lass taking my objections to the wrong amount, and for the long wait, was an Australian girl working from a mainland call centre, and as she was polite and respectful I was prepared to abate my wrath. The matter was soon fixed and I was emailed a new quarterly account for just over a thousand dollars for the quarter, and was asked if I had any further questions.

I asked this lass how the increases in Medibank premiums were calculated and she told me that Medibank was now a public company and that the increases were mandated by government direction in April of each year.

This response concerned me so I asked if she could supply me with the three latest annual premiums for my wife and I as we have maintained exactly the same cover. The premium figures supplied were:

2013: $3,290

2014: $3,587

2015: $4,015

2016: $4,318

The Government subsidy of over $500 per quarter is no longer listed on the account. I therefore wondered if this was reduced in April and what leverage over the company does the rate of subsidy and the mandated premium allow.

The lady also told me that the premium varied from state to state and that Tasmanian premiums were over $1000 cheaper than for residents of NSW or Victoria.

She laughed when I told her Tasmanians died quicker, and that we had the lowest life expectancy of any state in Australia, and the longest waiting lists.

In the three years of the Abbott/Turnbull government my premium has increased by 31% and I wondered if it would continue at this rate. I also wonder who the directors are, who appoints them, and how close they are to Government.

I am now 73 and still working. When I am not working I will have to rely on the government to cover my costs, and go public. Maybe, just maybe, that is why the nation’s health bill is rapidly rising as fewer and fewer people can afford private cover.

Is there a single Tasmanian Federal pollie who will address this issue?

Scruffy has been getting a little slower recently and asking about insurance and her vet bills.

I told her that like me when the time comes we will both be put down before the going gets too rough.

I called it dying with dignity.

She understood.