Free health care for ALL school aged children needed

Today, on World Health Day, we can celebrate the recent roll out of 22 new Public Health Organisations around the country providing cheaper health care for school aged children, but we need a further step, says Matt Robson, Deputy Leader of the Progressives.

"We must nurture our children to reach their full potential if we want to live in a modern, smart and innovative economy. Child health is a key part of taking care of our children as well as our future. We must provide free health care for all school aged children as soon as possible.

"I welcome Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General's said today 'healthy children are the key to sustainable development'. Children learn more quickly and develop more fully when they are healthy.

"Free health care for school aged children is a cornerstone commitment policy of the Progressives because their health and wellbeing is not only important to them, but to the wellbeing of our nation both socially and economically. If children don't learn well at school they are more likely to have difficulty finding a job and may even end up involved in crime.

"Free health care for school aged children is an important step in reducing the cumulative stresses on our poorer communities which can lead to people going off the rails. Research released today by the Ministry of Social Development shows that a comprehensive approach is needed to improve outcomes for children.

"Once free doctor visits for children are achieved, the next step is free doctor visits for older New Zealanders, and then for all New Zealanders," said Matt Robson MP.

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