Aussie seniors to get health rebates

SYDNEY, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Australians over the age of 65 were expected Sunday to benefit from the government's latest health initiative.

Prime Minister John Howard announced Sunday in Sydney an increase in the private health care rebate, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

The move will cause a 5 percent increase in the private health insurance rebate for people in the age group of 65 to 69 and a 10 percent increase for people over 70.

Howard said the rebate is a reward for the older Australians' contributions in their years of private health fund membership.