Government suggestions that parents should “shop around” for a free doctor when their child has an accident shows how completely out of touch National is, the Green Party says.
Government suggestions that parents should “shop around” for a free doctor when their child has an accident shows how completely out of touch National is, the Green Party says.
“The idea that a parent whose child has broken their arm, for example, would turn around and walk out of a doctors surgery if they didn’t offer a free visit is ridiculous,” Green Party health spokesperson Kevin Hague said.
“In many cases parents who really want a free visit will be to go a hospital emergency department, which is something we’ve all been working to discourage. Is that really what the Government wants?
“The Government has been sprung breaking its key promise of Budget 2014 and Ministers are scrambling to cover that fact up.
“National campaigned on free doctors’ visits, it didn’t campaign on 90 percent free. This is a broken promise and once again its kids who will suffer as a result.
“Papers indicate that about 29,000 visits to the doctor won’t be free for injured kids because of the Government decision to only fund 90 percent of them.
“The Government is saving pennies by being stingy with children’s healthcare.
“When National promised tax cuts for high income earners, it didn’t turn around and give 90 percent of high income earners a cut. It gave a cut to all high earners and it cost a lot more than a few doctors’ visits for injured kids,” Mr Hague said.
