Southern Cross Welcomes Discussion on Health Spending
The Southern Cross Healthcare Group supports The New Zealand Initiative’s efforts to bring some of the pressing issues
facing New Zealand to the fore.
Corporate Office CEO, Rachel Cunningham says, “We share their concerns about the pending healthcare funding crisis and
support public debate on this topic sooner rather than later.”
According to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, the country has only around eight years to make changes to
historic spending patterns before health costs start to seriously impact the Government’s ability to keep the country
within budget.
“We have an ageing population that will exacerbate the demands on our health system. At the same time, the proportion of
New Zealand’s population in paid employment is shrinking – so tax revenue is under increasing pressure. How to bridge
this gap is a conversation that needs to happen.
“Why would we wait for a crisis to take action – considered change will give people time to adapt.”
Southern Cross welcomes any efforts to stimulate further discussion and bring about sustainable changes to how
healthcare in funded in New Zealand.
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