Dental funds could win over Greens on PHI

8 Feb 2012, 7:47 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The Greens could ditch their opposition to a key aspect of Labor's private health insurance reforms if the government stumps up $1 billion for dental care.

The Australian Greens could ditch their opposition to a key aspect of Labor's private health insurance (PHI) reforms if the federal government stumps up at least $1 billion for dental care in the May budget.

Debate on the government's controversial plan to means-test the 30 per cent private health insurance rebate is scheduled to resume in the lower house on Thursday.

While the Greens support that change they are opposed to a linked reform to increase the Medicare levy surcharge for wealthy Australians who don't have private cover.

But on Wednesday health spokesman Richard Di Natale said if Labor committed to investing in dental treatment the Greens could back the entire PHI package.

"If the government was to look at making some sort of concession in that (dental) area then we'd have to look at it," the Victorian senator told reporters in Canberra.

However, if the government doesn't play ball on dental care funding and at the same time ensures the rebate and surcharge bills aren't split, the Greens will still likely vote with Labor.

"There's no way that we'd sink that (rebate) bill if we couldn't uncouple those bills," Senator Di Natale admitted on Wednesday.

"We'd have to support that (entire PHI) package if that's the way it was presented to us."

The Greens health spokesman believes it is likely the PHI changes will pass parliament this year after being defeated twice previously in the Senate.

"I expect that if the government's prepared to take this to the lower house on Thursday there's a good likelihood that they have the support of some of the crossbenches."

Apart from the Greens' Adam Bandt the government needs the support of independents Andrew Wilkie and Rob Oakeshott to get its legislation through the lower house.

The Greens on Wednesday insisted that regardless of the outcome on private health insurance the government had to make good on its 2011 pledge that dental health would be a priority for the 2012/13 budget.

Senator Di Natale says Labor needs to invest $1 billion this year "if they want to get anywhere".

The focus should be on low-income earners with other groups brought in over time, he said.

"This year's the time to do it. The mining boom is providing us with riches.

"I've met with the health minister (Tanya Plibersek) and I'm optimistic that she is of the same view that this is a necessary reform."

The government is already spending close to $1 billion a year through the former Howard government's chronic disease dental scheme.

Senator Di Natale suggested if it was means-tested it could become the foundation of a $5 billion-a-year Medicare-funded Denticare system over the next five years.

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