Progressive health priority takes major step forward: Free health care closer
Progressive ambitions for universal free health care for under 18s and people over 65 are closer today with the Labour
Progressive Government announcement of nearly $20 million for Primary Health Organisations to charge low fees for
patients under 18 years from 1 October.
“This is a major Progressive achievement.
“This Government’s commitment to provide lower health costs for people of retirement age from 2005 shows the benefits of
constructive coalition government where parties moving in the same direction but with different priorities can work
together.
“This is a significant success for the Progressives and a major step forward for all New Zealanders.
“Minister Annette King is committed to affordable, accessible quality health care and has been able to accommodate our
priorities as well as Labour’s policies in the Primary Health Care Strategy.
“Progressives are committed to getting things done and this is a good example of what working in Government, rather than
being in opposition or outside parliament can achieve,” said Matt Robson.