7. MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What reports has he received on support for the Government’s work to lower the cost of doctors’ visits and prescription drugs for all New Zealanders?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) Link to this
I have received many reports stating that lower health costs have been warmly welcomed by New Zealand families. The National Party is, however, committed to raising costs back to where they were—that is, a policy to increase doctors’ fees by $27 and the cost of each prescription to increase by $12. That is current National Party policy—unless, of course, National is going to change its leader and change its policy.
What work is under way to accelerate the implementation of the Government’s Primary Health Care Strategy?
On Friday I released a 5-year plan for primary health, focusing on the continued extension of affordable doctors’ visits and on population health. By contrast, at last weekend’s National Party conference Tony Ryall was the only member of the National front bench not allowed to give a policy speech. Why might that be?
Nathan GuyHas the Minister seen any reports on how devastated the people are in Levin at today’s announcement that the Village Doctors practice is closing, leaving an extra 1,500 people in Horowhenua without a general practitioner—like Gisborne, Blenheim, Kapiti, Timaru—and why, after 7 years of a Labour Government, are doctors all over New Zealand in short supply, stressed out, and overworked?