The Morrison government is facing an escalating affordability crisis in private health insurance, as premiums continue to rise faster than wages, out-of-pocket costs mount and new discounts fail to lure young people. Australians are paying an average $315 out of pocket every time they go to the hospital as a private patient, according to the latest quarterly data from the Australia Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), up 1.9 per cent over the 12 months to June 30. Australians are facing higher premiums and rising out-of-pocket costs.Credit:Louise Kennerley Health insurance premiums rose 2.77 per cent over the June quarter, while wage growth was stagnant at 2.3 per cent . The APRA figures come after an analysis of Reserve Bank data by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age showed Australians were being squeezed by price rises for essential goods and services in government-dominated sectors, with the cost of medical and hospital […]