Patients paying the price for National’s funding squeeze – Labour

Too many New Zealanders are missing out on care because of high doctor’s fees, and National doesn’t have a plan to bring fees down

 

“Today’s funding offer fails to lower the cost of seeing a doctor at a time when 650,000 New Zealanders are missing out because of cost,” Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said.

 

“This doesn’t fix that. This means people end up sicker and in our busy emergency departments.

 

“New Zealanders are doing it tough and everyone deserves access to affordable healthcare. A one-year freeze doesn’t solve the problem, it locks it in place.

 

“This offer will make things harder for GPs too. They are already under enormous pressure – grappling with rising costs, workforce shortages, and growing patient demand.

 

“Clinics shouldn’t have to choose between putting up patient fees and absorbing rising costs. This has led to reduced services, longer wait times, and practices that are closed to new enrolments.

 

“Practices that cannot absorb rising costs could be forced to cut services, lengthen wait times, or close altogether.

 

“Labour’s plan is different. We will introduce an independent pricing authority that ensures GPs are never left carrying unsustainable costs. We will also introduce three free GPs visits for every New Zealander which means no one will go without the care they need because of cost.

 

“Labour will deliver substantial reductions in what patients pay. And unlike National, we won’t ask practices to foot the bill. That’s what independent pricing delivers.

 

“Only Labour has a plan for free doctor’s visits, shorter wait times, and to fix funding for doctor’s clinics – for good,” Dr Ayesha Verrall said.