Ley downplays insurance rebate changes

Health Minister Sussan Ley has played down a report the federal government will scrap the private health insurance rebate.

A spokesman for the minister said it was one of several options being considered by the government as part of potential changes in the federation reform review.

News Corp reports that leaked papers from the Council of Australian Governments outlined plans to scrap the insurance rebate with payments for treatment made directly to hospitals under plans to overhaul the medical system.