5 Sept 2017

Rising Health Costs

Rob Hennin, in his article in the NZ Herald today states, “Health costs will soon overtake superannuation as the Government's biggest social spending obligation. That has to be of concern to any political party likely to be involved in running a government in the future. No one is keen to face the fact that the growth in health costs is outstripping our ability to pay. But it is a reality that needs addressing.”

Conservative Party is a Party of solutions. Rob Hennin raises three suggestions in his article:

Private Health Insurance needs to be encouraged. Conservative policy is to make payments for private health insurance tax deductible to help compensate those who choose to ease the burden on the public health system in this way.

Make Health Insurance compulsory for visitors to New Zealand as we do with international students. Conservative policy includes such a requirement, and includes the cover of accidents as well, rather than being covered by ACC.

Introduce a medical savings account. Conservative policy is to investigate the creation of Kiwi Health Accounts to serve individuals and families for their future health needs.

Not only does our policy include these things, but we also have solutions to the growing demand on our health sector, addressing the causes. Every dollar spent on prevention results in several dollars saving in treatment.

· Age related, government funded, health checks to enable early intervention in health issues common to New Zealanders.
· Providing health education in schools that does in fact result in healthy living
· Quality housing, reducing risk of sicknesses such as influenza, bronchitis, asthma etc
· Strengthening the family unit to reduce isolation leading to drug and alcohol addictions.

These solutions are not expensive and could be implemented quickly and without substantial cost, resulting in huge future savings and easing the burden on our current health care system.

“The Conservative Party is a Party of practical solutions. We believe in every area, prevention is better than cure,” says Party Leader Leighton Baker.
ENDS

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