Health policy waits for party

Press, 6 October 1988, Page 1

Health policy waits for party

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter The unveiling of the Government’s new health policy will be delayed because of the requirement to consult the Labour Party. A release had been planned for Sunday’s television current affairs programme, “Frontline,” but the office of the Minister of Health, Mr Caygill, indicated yesterday that a delay of a week or more was possible because of consultations with the Labour Party. Mr Caygill proposes to increase

the present $1 prescription charge in the new health policy (“The Press," October 3). However, an increase in the General Medical Services benefit paid to doctors — which would reduce the cost of a consultation — is suggested to balance the extra prescription cost. Labour Party conferences have consistently voted for an end to the $1 prescription charge introduced by their own Government. Such a call was made at last month’s conference in Dunedin. At the same time, the Government pledged to consult the

Labour Party if any proposal threatened to contravene the party manifesto or any subsequent conference vote. A system of policy committees has been established to hear any case put by a Cabinet Minister. Mr Caygill is expected to meet the health and social services policy committee in the next few days to put his case for higher prescription charges and lower costs to see a doctor. The membership of the committee was announced yesterday. Members are: Ms Marina Hughes, Christchurch; Mr Phil

Harrington, Auckland; Ms Sarah Clavert, Tauranga; Mr John Ryall, Wellington; and Ms Ida Gaskin, New Plymouth. The Opposition spokesman of health, Mr Don McKinnon, said it was appalling that a small coterie of Labour Party people were to make the final decision on the new health policy. The Government was abdicating its responsibilities to a nonelected group which was not responsible to the voter or taxpayer, he said.

Policy committees, page 6