Health Queue Jumping Unacceptable

New Zealand First is urging the Government to rethink its new Sickness and Invalids Benefit Strategy which would see beneficiaries get priority health treatment in order to get back to work.

“I wonder if the Government knows how many people are claiming a sickness benefit because they have a sore toe or mental health problems?” said social services spokesperson Bill Gudgeon.

“The Government is ignoring the real issue which is that people who were on the unemployment benefit have been moved over to the sickness benefit so the Government can boast of low unemployment rates.

“We will have a situation where the fit and able remain on the sickness benefit and the sick and disabled will be forced back into the workforce.

“If the Government really wants to help the sick, put extra money back into health and reduce hospital waiting lists,” said Mr Gudgeon.

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