Withdrawal Of Proceedings Part Of Settlement Deal

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-HUMAN-RIGHTS-COMMISSION

WITHDRAWAL OF PROCEEDINGS PART OF SETTLEMENT DEAL - COMMISSION

"The Human Rights Commission's withdrawal of proceedings against several health insurance companies is part of a negotiated settlement of the proceedings," said Chris Lawrence, Proceedings Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission.

The proceedings were the subject of a judicial settlement conference on Tuesday this week. That settlement conference was presided over by Justice Dame Silvia Cartwright, who described the settlement as a "useful and appropriate resolution of the issues".

Chris Lawrence said: "Part of the deal is that the health insurers who were parties to the proceedings will co-operate with the New Zealand Society of Actuaries and the Government Actuary in developing actuarial guidelines concerning health insurance".

The Human Rights Act 1993 allows for those actuarial guidelines to be incorporated in guidelines promulgated by the Human Rights Commission.

Mr Lawrence said: "The High Court's mediation role had been very helpful and the Commission looked forward to a co-operative approach involving the industry, Grey Power, Age Concern and the Commission in relation to issues concerning health insurance and older New Zealanders".

"We will be producing a detailed report for Age Concern and Grey Power as soon as we can. That report will also go to the numerous people who have complained to the Human Rights Commission about alleged age discrimination," Mr Lawrence said.

ENDS....

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