Labor's health spokeswoman now says her party isn't considering changes to the private health insurance rebate, despite earlier confusion.
Catherine King refused to rule out changes to the 30 per cent rebate when asked in a media interview on Monday.
Questioned if the party was open to looking at changes to the rebate if recommended by its own proposed Productivity Commission inquiry into the system, Ms King told Sky News: "Let's wait and see."
But on Tuesday, she released a statement saying, "Labor is not considering any changes to the private health insurance rebate, other than what we have already announced".
It's the second time Labor has clarified its position on the rebate after leader Bill Shorten appeared to leave the door open to scrapping it during a January appearance at the National Press Club.
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He later said the party would not be abolishing the rebate.
The private health insurance industry's peak body said the rebate is paid to individuals on low and middle incomes to help them access non-emergency surgery, mental health care and dental services.
"About 50 per cent of people with private health insurance have an annual income of under $50,000 a year," Private Healthcare Australia CEO Dr Rachel David said in a statement.
"The majority of those are either full pensioners, part pensioners or superannuants on low incomes and these people will be hardest hit by further change."
Labor has proposed a two per cent cap on premiums for two years if elected and will order a Productivity Commission review into the insurance system.
Premiums rose on Sunday after an average rise of 3.95 per cent was approved by Health Minister Greg Hunt.
