AMA president Omar Khorshid said at a time when the public system was relying on the private sector for support amid unprecedented Covid-19 pressures, many consumers were beginning to doubt the value of private healthcare amid the industry ­policy spats.

"What we're seeing is huge pressure on that private system due to the increased cost of premiums... we have got do something to keep the insurance accessible to the average Australian, so that they don't end up languishing on our public hospital waiting lists," he told host Mark Gibson, in for Gareth Parker.

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