Cross party voter support for major health reforms

Strong cross party voter support for major health reforms

There is solid support among all the main political parties' voters for major reforms to the public health system, which two thirds of New Zealanders think is inefficient.

Policymakers trying to build voting coalitions in Parliament for major reform measures will find solid support among voters, according to new research released today by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Its nationwide ShapeNZ polling shows

- The idea of using taxes to create a new Cullen-type fund to pay for health in the future is supported by 68% of National voters, 67% of Labour's. The idea has solid backing among Green voters (58%), New Zealand First (68%), United Future (61%), Maori party (55%) and undecided voters (55%)

- Even if the new fund were to delay personal tax cuts, 55% of National voters still support the idea, along with 64% of Labour voters and 71% of Greens.

- 61% of National voters and 51% of Labour's think the Government should define a minimum core list of free public health services available to all. The idea is also supported by 64% of Green's, 85% of United Future, 79% of Progressive voters and 54% of undecided voters.

- A huge 69% of National voters, and 58% of Labour's think district health boards and the Government should follow the Accident Compensation Commission's current practice of buying private health services so people can get back to work more quickly

- 61% of Labour voters, 51% of Green, 63% of New Zealand First, 70% of Progressive voters and 59% of undecided voters would like the Accident Compensation Scheme extended to cover the costs of catastrophic health problems, like cancer, which also require long term treatment and income support. National voter support for this is 46%, opposition 41%.

Business Council Chief Executive Peter Neilson says: "The public are crying out for a cross party agreement to introduce health reforms and improve efficiency. The message couldn't be clearer for policymakers in all the major parties."

The Government now spends $11.6 billion a year on health and can't afford health care long term, at current spending growth rates, driven by new technology, expanding services and an ageing population, without substantial tax rises. In today's dollars, the Government will need to devote more than $21 billion to health by 2050.

The findings of the survey will be discussed with the Minister of Finance at the Business Council's second annual Business Budget Summit at Wellington on November 1. The summit assembles 80 chief executives with Ministers to look for long term practicable solutions to major issues facing the country. This year it looks at how to fund health, close the skills gap and for a long term path to personal tax cuts.

The full health survey results and commentary can be found at http://www.budgetsummit.org.nz

The ShapeNZ survey remains open to the public at www.shapenz.org.nz until October 31. Surveys are being planned to advise the summit on what Kiwis would like regarding personal tax cuts and overcoming the country's major skills shortage.

ENDS

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