A National-ACT government would destroy our already struggling public health system and replace it with an American-style user pays model, Labour health spokesperson Annette King said today.

"ACT's loopy right-wing agenda has frightening implications for healthcare and the wellbeing of New Zealanders. Its slash and burn approach which includes scrapping free doctors visits for under sixes would be an unmitigated disaster but is likely to gain support from the market reformers within National.

"ACT's health policy says tax will be cut "so that taxpayers can fund private insurance premiums out of their own pockets." But ACT wants to give the biggest tax cuts to the rich, with nothing for low-income families. They'll have nothing in their pockets.

"ACT has revived the health privatisation plans that were formulated by National in 1991. 8 years on and there are still no costings, because the policy simply won't work.

"What does ACT's policy do for low and middle-income New Zealanders? Nothing.

"What does ACT's policy do for people with disabilities? Nothing.

"What does ACT's policy do for senior citizens? Nothing.

"What does ACT's policy do for the chronically ill? Nothing.

"National-ACT would close public hospitals, reduce services and assist the wealthy to access quality healthcare, while the rest of New Zealand suffers. It's an approach that will widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

"Only a Labour-led Government will be committed to providing a quality public healthcare service for all New Zealanders," Annette King said.

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