HEALTHSCOPE Hospitals, Australia's second-largest private hospital group owned by Brookfield, has announced a controversial new "hospital facility fee" of up to $100 for most patients.
Effective immediately, this fee will charge private patients from certain health funds $50 for same-day services and $100 for overnight stays.
Rachel David, CEO of Private Healthcare Australia, condemned the move as a "new low" and allegedly accused Brookfield of trying to "extort money from health funds to increase profits for its overseas investors".
She noted that the affected health funds already have contracts in place for fair service funding, raising potential legal concerns.
"This deeply unethical strategy could make private healthcare unaffordable," David said.
"Patients need to discuss alternatives with their doctors and health funds."
The fee impacts nearly half of Australia's health insurance market, affecting over six million people.
Critics argue that this approach will add stress to patients already facing a cost-of-living crisis, prompting calls for government intervention to protect consumers from escalating healthcare costs.
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