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When asked about whether Hunt still wanted employers to become providers of health insurance, a spokesperson replied, "the premise of your question is wrong."

“Having lived in the USA, the Minister has always been of the view that the Australian healthcare system is better, stronger and more appropriate for Australia.”

“Private health insurance has always had an important place in our broader healthcare system. But as the Minister said only yesterday, Medicare is, and will always be, the fundamental basis of our universal healthcare system.”