National pleased loophole closed on birth funding

National says it's pleased the Government's adopting National's stand of closing a loophole which has had foreign women exploiting New Zealand's free maternity services and gaining New Zealand citizenship for their babies.

National MP Dr Lynda Scott says our cash-strapped health services are already under pressure and can't cope with funding the costs of foreign women who give birth here and the care of their children.

"The health care of New Zealanders must come before all visitors and non-New Zealand residents.

"Making non-New Zealand residents pay for this health care will deter those who have been timing their birth to coincide with a visit to New Zealand, so that their child can automatically get New Zealand citizenship," Dr Scott said.

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