Government stalls ACC inquiry

"Despite best efforts by National and New Zealand First to hold an Inquiry into long term claimants on ACC, Labour and other parties have voted to postpone," says National's ACC spokesman Dr Paul Hutchison.

"For over six months I have called for an Inquiry that focuses on best practice guidelines and standards associated with medical assessment, dispute resolution and case management of long-term claimants.

"I have received hundreds of letters from extremely concerned claimants and it is disappointing they will have to wait because of the Government's procrastination.

"National believes the investigation should include the management of the number of claimants left on the tail and deal with ensuring there are high standards of treatment for genuine cases, as well as the cost to the country of non genuine claimants.

"Unfortunately the Auditor General's report on ACC is limited in scope and is not due out until October.

"The issue of long-term claimant management is important and should be investigated now," said Dr Hutchison.

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