"The quality of maternity care in New Zealand is being degraded because of government manipulation of provider contracts," said the Libertarianz health deregulation spokesman today. "My party has the answer: throw the bureaucrats out with the bathwater."

Masterton doctor Richard McGrath was commenting on plans announced by the Health Ministry to impose their latest contract on doctors, midwives and their pregnant patients. "The ministry beancounters are only interested in saving money," he stated. "Meanwhile, general practitioners have all but abandoned obstetrics because of burnout and totally inadequate remuneration. At the root of this problem is the nationalised system of maternity care."

Under a Libertarianz government there would be the only valid type of maternity contract - between an expectant mother and her chosen maternity care provider, free from government interference and untainted by the forcible redistribution of other people's money. "Doctors and midwives would be free to charge a realistic price for provision of pre- and post-natal care, without the taxpayer being dragged in at gunpoint to cover costs."

Libertarianz would privatise all forms of welfare payment. "The general medical services benefit, maternity care subsidies, poverty cards and the DPB would all be dumped. In return, people would be allowed to keep the money they earn, and trusted to spend it according to their own priorities."

It's enough to make you vote Libertarianz!

ENDS

Dr Richard McGrath * Libertarianz Deputy Leader * Fax 06 377 3070 * mcgrath@no-income-tax.com

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