Labour To Make Maternity Scans Free

Labour will add free maternity scans to the Medicard alongside three free doctor’s visits a year, so every pregnant woman gets the care she needs.

“Women and their families shouldn’t have to worry about money when it comes to making sure they and their babies are okay,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

“For many families, pregnancy comes with enough costs and stress already. A Labour Government will ease that pressure by making the scans they need free.

“Right now, what you pay for a maternity scan can cost up to $90 depending on where you live. Under Labour, free will mean free, everywhere,” Chris Hipkins said.

“No one should have to skip a scan because they can’t afford it. Scans pick up issues early, help families prepare for birth, and save lives,” Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said.

“Labour will also invest in 24 additional paid trainee sonographer positions at Health New Zealand, building the workforce needed to deliver pregnancy scans and meet future demand.

“National has made it harder and more expensive to get healthcare when and where it is needed. Christopher Luxon’s cuts to our health system mean health costs are rising, and he has no plan to fix it.

“Labour does. We are building a health system that helps people stay well, not just treat illness.

“The Medicard will give every New Zealander three free doctor’s visits a year and free cervical screening. Now we’re adding free pregnancy scans, helping with the cost of living at one of the most expensive, but also most exciting, times in a family’s life,” Dr Ayesha Verrall said.

Notes

• Free maternity scans will be added to a patient’s Medicard after a referral from a health practitioner.
• Labour will fund every scan a doctor or midwife deems medically necessary, so women with complicated pregnancies don’t miss out.
• Free maternity scans are costed at $28.6 million a year, funded from the revenue of Labour’s simple, targeted capital gains tax.
• Labour will invest $3 million a year in 24 additional paid trainee sonographer positions – one cohort of 12 a year – funded from Health New Zealand baselines.