22 October 2005

Libz back lab test charges

The Libertarianz Party threw its support behind Wellington District Health Board plans to charge private patients for laboratory tests, but said this should go even further and apply to public patients as well.

Health deregulation spokesman Dr Richard McGrath said charging for laboratory tests would not prevent those in need getting medical care, just as supermarkets charging people for groceries has not lead to mass starvation.

"We really need to move on from the unworkable and immoral socialist idea that everyone has the right to health care paid for with other people's money," said Dr McGrath. "This attitude has lead to crippling taxation, the rationing of medical care, manpower shortages and deaths on waiting lists, just as it did in the old Soviet Union."

"If we scrapped GST and made the first $10,000 of income tax-free, as Libertarianz proposed in its pre-election budget, poorer people would be able to afford to purchase medical insurance. And if we cut Michael Cullen's 39% envy tax down to a flat rate of 15%, this country could attract medical, nursing and other health professionals."

"The entitlement mentality encouraged by successive socialist governments has led to a culture of widespread dependence on the state. It's high time people were allowed to set their own priorities on health care expenditure for themselves and their families, rather than have Pete Hodgson dictating how it will be done."

ENDS

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