With the lifetime community rating (LCR), now in place, it is thought that between 75,000 and 100,000 people signed up ahead of last Thursday night’s deadline*. It’s reported there was an even split between people buying quality health cover and those buying a cheap, entry-level plan.

It’s worth bearing in mind that not having private health insurance does not mean that you can’t get access to top quality healthcare if you want. If you’re willing to bear the full costs of treatment, then you can have all the top quality healthcare you want, when you want. It’s just that many people could never afford it.