nib backs health insurance bill

New Zealand First MP Barbara Stewart's bill was drawn from the ballot this month.

It also proposes a 25% health insurance rebate for people aged over 65 and the removal of fringe benefit tax from health insurance to incentivise employers to include it in salary packages.

The bill already has the support of the Health Funds Association.

nib chief executive Rob Hennin referred to data released under the Official Information Act, which showed that since 2007 ineligible patients from overseas have cost the New Zealand health system $200 million.