New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters has hit out at the greed of Doctors for demanding the right to charge children aged six and under for visits. He was responding to the Press Release of the Medical Association giving their support to Doctors who intend charging a further levy in addition to the taxpayer funded subsidy.

“Doctors are already paid by the taxpayer $32.50 for every such child they see and to now demand the right to levy a further payment on top of that sum is nothing less than pure greed”, said Mr Peters.

“New Zealand First is extremely proud of its achievement in obtaining the right for parents to take their young children to the Doctor without incurring a charge. This was a very determined initiative from us whilst part of the coalition Government formed in 1996, and furthermore, that it was not removed, even by the National Government when it seized minority power in 1998 by dissolving the coalition, speaks volumes for the robust manner in which we cemented the provision into legislation”, Mr Peters added.

“ It does Doctors no credit at all to be displaying such a self gratifying attitude at this time and puts them in the same category as the hospital executives who in recent weeks have lined their own pockets with massive increases, thereby helping to starve health services of desperately needed funds to provide the services essential for so many who are struggling within our communities”, Mr Peters concluded.

ENDS

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