National promises $18 GP visits for more than half a million Kiwis
The policy will cost almost $400 million over four years.
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Hawke’s Bay
National is dangling cheap GP visits for more than half a million low-income Kiwis if it is re-elected to government in September.
Health Minister Jonathan Colman says 600,000 New Zealanders would have access to $18 doctor visits under a National-led government.
The party will also expand access to the Community Services Card to an additional 350,000 New Zealanders with low incomes and high housing costs.
The card will cover cheap prescriptions, free emergency dental care and free glasses for children.
National says this will cost $380 million over four years and says the costs will be met from the 2018 Budget operating allowance.
The policy will be rolled out on July 1 next year, if National is re-elected.
The policy follows on from National’s previously implemented plan of ensuring all children under 13 have free GP visits and prescriptions.
“This change means a family of three earning up to $60,000 per year will be able to access $18 GP visits – with children under 13 still able to go for free,” Dr Coleman says.
“We want to support more low-income New Zealanders to access the healthcare they need, when they need it.”
Jason Walls
Mon, 21 Aug 2017
Mon, 21 Aug 2017
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National promises $18 GP visits for more than half a million Kiwis
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