The boss of giant health insurer NIB is proposing the government abolish Medicare and make private insurance compulsory.

Mark Fitzgibbon has argued that Medicare is a “government-operated monopoly, social insurance scheme” and compulsory insurance should be open to a private market instead of remaining government-run.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has rejected the idea, insisting the government is “committed” to Medicare.

NIB Managing Director Mr Fitzgibbon tells Steve Price that under the proposed idea some premiums would be subsidised by the government.

“Jack and Mary, who may be 75 and retired, who can’t afford to pay the premium, government [would] subsidise that maybe to the point of 100 per cent of that premium.”

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