this is the most original piece on genuine consumer involvement in health care I have read in a very long time. All this while we were lead to believe there are really only 2 options, either the state run managerial system so beloved of the left or the private health fund system so espoused by the right. It's good to have that historical insight on just how important were the contributions made by friendly societies in the 19th century, because this serves as a prelude to Medicare Select's arrival. Once again, thank you for this prescient article.

You've got my vote. Bring back mutual banks too.

There is a saying KISS.

this market driven product sounds idealistic. Competing health care plans, now market forces are suppose to have created cheaper prices and better services in telecommunications, energy suppliers etc.

Yet consumers have to wade through highly deliberately confusing plans and products in order to find the best value. Which is usually a trick of the hand or the propaganda by the company pushing the products.

There is a process of depersonalisation that has been created by changing the word patient to consumer.

Market based ideas will only created a much more expensive health service. Any apparent cost savings will either occur because costs are shifted to the patient, sorry consumer or to some other service provider.

There is also a process of skimming, where profitable patients are kept, and the more costly patients(consumer)are shifted onto another health service provider.

So what does medicare select do, that medibank private doesent do.

Desmond, I think the governments renaming of medi-bank private is the first step in setting it up to be sold and placed on the stock exchange.

Once Medi-bank is on the stock exchange, profit will become the major driving force, and patient, sorry health consumer welfare will receive high priority as long as it doesn't impinge on the bottom line(profits).

I wonder how many politicans have advanced orders for shares should medi-bank be listed on the stock exchange.