12. SUE MORONEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Has he received any reports on the security of funding for health services in New Zealand?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes, I have. I have seen two reports, and both are sobering. The first is from Tony Ryall, National’s health spokesperson, who, when asked to commit to this Labour-led Government’s level of investment in health, was unable to do so. That did not sound encouraging, but the second report is worse. It is from National’s leader, John Key, who said explicitly on Saturday that National’s expenditure on health would be at a lower rate than Labour’s. It looks as though National is back to its old tricks of promising the moon on a sixpence.
Can New Zealanders be confident that they will continue to access affordable and quality primary health care?
In the case of primary health care, my answer is no and yes. The National Party still needs to clarify its position on low doctors’ fees and low prescription charges. It is on record as both supporting them and opposing them. National has had nearly 8 years in Opposition but still has no health policy.