2 March 2006

Savage's monster running amok

Libertarianz health deregulation spokesman Richard McGrath said the call by the Auckland DHB board chairman for replacement of experienced clinical staff with younger cheaper versions is a legacy of the socialized health monster created by the government of Michael Joseph Savage.

"The market for health care is virtually limitless, yet the state's hospitals have to operate under a fixed budget," said Dr McGrath. "This zero-sum game in health care is completely irrational, but then again so is the whole system of socialist economics which attempts to repeal the laws of supply and demand."

"I agree that it seems stupid to contemplate replacing experienced doctors and nurses with greenhorns, but that is an attractive option when hospitals are run under a finite budget of stolen tax money," added Dr McGrath, who wonders whether rationing will be next -- "except it seems clear that's what we already have."

Libertarianz advocate full privatisation of the health sector and a commensurate reduction in taxation, with hospitals able to charge for their services in a competitive environment. "Working people should be permitted to use their own money to purchase health care directly or through insurance companies or voluntary organizations," concludes Dr McGrath, instead of, as he puts it, "having their earnings confiscated in order to feed Mickey Savage's monster."

ENDS

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