Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Government out of touch with "shop around" suggestion

Government totally out of touch with suggestion parents "shop around" for a free doctor

Government suggestions that parents should “shop around” for a free doctor when their child has an accident shows how completely out of touch National is, the Green Party says.

“The idea that a parent whose child has broken their arm, for example, would turn around and walk out of a doctors surgery if they didn’t offer a free visit is ridiculous,” Green Party health spokesperson Kevin Hague said.

“In many cases parents who really want a free visit will be to go a hospital emergency department, which is something we’ve all been working to discourage. Is that really what the Government wants?

“The Government has been sprung breaking its key promise of Budget 2014 and Ministers are scrambling to cover that fact up.

“National campaigned on free doctors’ visits, it didn’t campaign on 90 percent free. This is a broken promise and once again its kids who will suffer as a result.

“Papers indicate that about 29,000 visits to the doctor won’t be free for injured kids because of the Government decision to only fund 90 percent of them.

“The Government is saving pennies by being stingy with children’s healthcare.

“When National promised tax cuts for high income earners, it didn’t turn around and give 90 percent of high income earners a cut. It gave a cut to all high earners and it cost a lot more than a few doctors’ visits for injured kids,” Mr Hague said.

ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.