U-Turn on Budget Commitment for Free GP Visits for Primary Schoolchildren

The National government has gone back on its Budget announcement of free GP visits and prescriptions for under 13s, says New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters and Member of Parliament for Northland.

“In the scramble to get a child friendly policy for Budget 2014 National stole New Zealand First’s free GP visits policy.

“The then Health Minister Tony Ryall, following our lead, said on May 15, 2014 that National would extend the free visits for under sixes, a New Zealand First initiative, to primary school children.

“Now the government is mincing words and playing games, and even suggests parents shop around. It has done a U-turn and is now talking about ACC and injury-related GP visits. There was no mention of ACC and injuries in May 2015.

“For once this government needs to be straight, carry out its promises and not argue over the fine print,” says Mr Peters.

“The announcement was to benefit 400,000 primary school aged children and their families, according to Mr Ryall.

“This is what the public was led to expect and that is what this government should deliver,” says Mr Peters.

ENDS

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