Friday, 15 December 2006
Public accept private health role
"Figures released today by the Health Funds Association of New Zealand (HFANZ) show a growing acceptance by Kiwis that
the public health system can't deal with all the health needs of the nation said ACT Health spokesman Heather Roy.
"Monitoring by HFANZ shows a continuing trend of increased uptake of health insurance - 1.36 million New Zealanders now
have health insurance of some kind. This is an increase of 11,000, or 1% on last year.
"Despite the Labour Government constantly implying that health care should be provided by the State, New Zealanders are
becoming increasingly aware of the need to take responsibility for their own health care. The advantages of the private
health system are blatantly obvious. Government provided health care can never cope with every health need.
"The Government's purging of waiting lists, sending patients back to their GPs, and the constant cancellation of
elective surgery for patients in pain and suffering are taking their toll on the health of our population. Through
private health insurance, people are able to access timely and efficient care. This is an acceptable solution to the
increasing health needs and demands of kiwis.
"District Health Boards are told by Labour to provide health care "inhouse" at public hospitals as a priority and for
too long the advantages of contracting treatment privately has been ignored for philosophical reasons.
"Those who are able to buy private insurance jump waiting list queues by going private, while those unable to afford
private health care are left to wait. The government has a duty to provide the best quality treatment in the best time
at the best cost and it should look to the private sector when this is the best option. Anything less is a dereliction
of the duty Labour was elected to", Mrs Roy said.
ENDS