Grey Power has welcomed a New Zealand First Bill which would see people with the Super Gold card and who draw national superannuation get three free visits to their GP per year. With about 600,000 Super Gold card holders the Bill, if it became law, would add about $60 million to the national health cost of about $1.55 billion, less than half of one percent.

The Super Gold Health Check Bill was drawn from the ballot of private members’ Bills in December 2013 and will be considered by Parliament in February.

If the bill passes its crucial first reading New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is expected to send it to the Finance and Expenditure committee for consideration.
Grey Power national president Terry King said medical costs increased with age for most people, including visits to the GP. He said on average New Zealanders spend 10 days a year in hospital but for people over 65 there was a dramatic increase in the number of people requiring specialist medical treatment and the amount of time they spent in hospital, the average cost of a visit to the doctor was now about $35.
“For most families on the average income these costs can be met but for people over 65 who are reliant on national superannuation the frequency and costs of GP visits can be a serious financial burden.”

Mr King said many folk had heard of cases where elderly people either put off going to the doctor or declined to pick up prescriptions from the chemist to avoid the costs.
“That simply makes matters worse when they finally go to the doctor and we need a circuit breaker to ensure these people get the medical attention they need.”
Mr King said, because Labour Party policy at the September election was for free doctor visits for people over 65 he presumed they will support the bill.
A spokesman for United Future and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said, as there had yet to be a formal briefing from New Zealand First on the Bill, he was unable to comment.

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