Private health insurance cover has grown to its highest level in 27 years, new figures show.
More than 9.912 million Australians or 44.5 per cent of the population had private cover in the March quarter - an increase of almost 47,000 people.
This was the highest level since March 1983, when 9.986 million people had private health insurance, data from the Private Health Insurance Administration Council shows.
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The survey period included the Senate rejecting, in March, government plans to means test private health insurance rebates.
Figures 'discredit opposition spin'
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the latest figures discredited opposition arguments that the election of a Labor government would cause private health insurance membership to decline.
Labor estimates the Senate's blocking of its measures would cost taxpayers $2 billion over four years.
The government wants rebates for individuals earning more than $75,000 a year and couples with an annual income of $150,000 means-tested.
The government's policy has been defeated twice in the Senate, which means Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has until October 16 to call a double dissolution poll using it as a trigger.
