Letters to the editor | January 1, 2020

Don't politicians get it? The more private health insurance goes up, the more people are going to opt out and go into the public system, thereby costing the government much more. Health insurance funds should also realise that every time premiums go up, they are losing customers. Statistics confirm that many people opt out when premiums go up and less people are joining health funds because of the cost.

Government and health funds have to find a middle ground encouraging new members and also encouraging existing members to stay. The easiest way to do this is for the government not to agree to a premiums increase every time the funds ask for one. Increases in anything that is going to impact people's pockets should be carefully considered in this time of severe financial hardship to many in the community because of COVID-19.

I WOULD be appalled if my father was the resident found with maggots on a would like that of an elderly resident at the Roy Fagan Centre in Hobart (The Examiner, December 31).

Being a former nurse who worked in community nursing for a number of years, wounds like leg ulcers have been known to have maggots used to aid in the healing.

Not just our ordinary everyday maggot though. I feel deeply for this gentleman and his family. Our elderly loved ones who are unable to care for themselves need to be reassured when they go into care, that they will be looked after with dignity and respect.

We could all be in that situation ourselves one day. Dementia is a condition that today affects so many people and is very upsetting for family members to see a loved one with this condition.

I HAVE no doubt and feel so sorry for the tourist industry which I was a part of for 40-odd years. And I draw your attention to the JobKeeper rate that is to be soon lowered from $1200 to $1000.

This is also the time to feel sorry for pensioners that have been struggling for years on $1000 and less.

A desperate struggle in a time they do not need it and are helpless to change their situation.

And even worse the less fortunate pensioners have a continued battle with escalating rents and ever increasing expenses.

If the government are unable to control the cost of living, then they must address welfare. We give millions, and millions in overseas aid, yet seem oblivious to the needs of welfare recipients and pensioners who in most cases have worked hard all their lives paying taxes.

Politicians themselves enjoy good wages and an abundance of perks, never understanding what it is like to struggle.