Privately insured increasingly using public hospitals

The number of patients with private health cover accessing the public health system has increased dramatically over the past 10 years.

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Hospital waiting lists are a problem that always seems to be getting worse.

Now, a new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows a growing disparity between the care provided to public and private patients at the same hospital.

The institute's Jenny Hargreaves says the study shows privately insured patients are getting preferential access.