Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
National’s health policy - what’s missing? Again.
CTU MEDIA RELEASE
11 September 2008
National’s health policy - what’s missing? Again.
“Workers are still left wondering whether National will remove the cap on GP fees,” Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said today.
“Cheaper doctor visits and prescriptions are very popular policies for workers. About a million people today receive low-cost primary health care, including free doctor visits for under-sixes.”
“If this is an area where National wants more user-pays, they need to be honest with workers about this.”
“From a worker's perspective lots of things make up their wage packet – not only taxes and the wage rate itself, but also the social services that impact on our incomes. And workers will be worse off if a larger tax cut is coupled with more user-pays on our roads and in our doctor clinics.”
The policy announcement also confirms National has nothing new to say on wages, Helen Kelly said.
“When it comes to lifting workers wages, all National can talk about is tax cuts. Leaving it to taxes alone is a joke. There are serious workforce issues in health, and saying tax cuts will solve recruitment and retention is wrong,” Helen Kelly said.
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On Children’s Book Classics - The Moomins
Johnnie Freeland: Ko Tātou Tātou - Climate Action In Aotearoa Begins With Relationship
Zero Waste Network Aotearoa: Container Return Scheme Bill Would Double Recycling Rates And Put Money Back In Households
Wellington City Council: Statement From The Wellington Mayoral Forum On Options For Regional Governance Reform
MUNZ: TAIC Report On Kaitaki Incident Gives Shocking Picture Of Decline Of NZ Maritime Infrastructure
Greenpeace: New Climate Report Yet More Reason To Reduce Dairy Herd
Better Public Media: Opposing Plans To Scrap The BSA
