PRESS RELEASE Libertarianz Health Deregulation

Doctors Must Reject State Control

"Labour's latest attempt at price-fixing could drive many doctors into retirement," said Masterton GP and Libertarianz health deregulation spokesman Richard McGrath.

Dr McGrath praised the efforts of medical groups such as the NZMA, GP Council and Rural GP Network who he says are "asking the government to uphold the right of all doctors to set their own fees."

"This government has a barely-concealed contempt for hard work, property rights and open markets which are the basis of capitalism. It appears more interested in creating bogus rights for their supporters by nationalising private industry.

Dr McGrath said the Libertarianz Party supports the withdrawal of all subsidies to GPs, but in return would give them the freedom to practice, and set their fees, as they wish. It would abolish the Medical Council - "a monopoly that sells doctors their work permits at a non-negotiable price" - and privatise all public hospitals and PHOs. The Health and Disability Commissioner's Office would be funded on a user pays basis and opened up to competition.

ENDS

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