Media statement
For immediate release
Friday, 29 June 2007

United Future welcomes beneficiary health move as a good start

United Future leader Peter Dunne has welcomed the Government announcement of a $10 million a year fund aimed at getting welfare beneficiaries swifter medical care from private health providers so the beneficiaries can get back to work.

But, he says, the move is just a start and the Government needs to be much bolder, if it is going to make a real impact on cutting waiting lists.

"United Future, in its confidence and supply agreement with Labour, pushed for greater use of the private healthcare system to help cut waiting lists.

"In the past, Labour has been ideologically opposed to having private providers involved in the public health system, but the dam is finally breaking.

"We are delighted with the Government's latest move and will be pushing even harder to see the scheme extended much more widely

"ACC claimants and now beneficiaries can use public money to access private healthcare so there is now no credible reason why this scheme should not be extended to all New Zealanders to enable them to have access to private hospital providers for speedier and more timely elective surgery," concluded Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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