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Low
cost health care for elderly Otago Daily Times,
September 16, 2003 Wellington: A $47 million nationwide initiative to make primary health care more affordable for older New Zealanders enrolled in Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) is to be sped up, Health Minister Annette King said yesterday. Originally planned for 2005-06, the Government has decided to make low-cost primary health care more accessible a year earlier than that for New Zeal- anders aged 65 and over. Professional bodies, particularly the New Zealand College of GPs, believed bringing forward funding for over 65s would be beneficial, Ms King said. "Not only would this help a large group of New Zealanders access more affordable primary health care, but it would also sustain the momentum of PHO development." A plan to reduce to $3 the maximum prescription fee for those eligible through PHOs had been moved back from October 1 to April 1, Ms King said. About 1.7 million people enrolled will now have to wait another six months for the cheaper prescriptions. The Pharmacy Guild believed more time was needed for the sector to plan for the change, given October 1 was the date dispensing changes were being introduced, Ms King said. "Deferring the roll-out for six months recognises that asking pharmacists to deal with two such significant changes at the same time would cause difficulties," she said. From July 1 next year, all those aged over 65 and enrolled in PHOs would be eligible for low patient fees and $3 prescription charges. PHOs were part of the Government's $400 million boost for primary health care over three years. Visits would be free for those under 18 and $10 at most for adults during normal hours at PHOs. More low income earners will qualify for community service cards giving them access to cheaper health care. GPs would be pleased at the Government's prompt demonstration of commitment to quality general practice and primary health care, college president Jim Vause said. "They are moving much more quickly to achieve national equity," Dr Vause said. - NZPA Copyright
© 2002 Global Action on Aging |
