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The Progressive Party on Health Care

Possibly the largest domestic issue in 2008, health care is a problem that is universally recognized and answered with a diversity of prescriptions from the candidates. Private versus government funded health care and the definition of "universal" care split the candidates across their respective policies. This topic includes information about candidate positions on: universal health care, privatization of health care, government support for health care through tax incentives, and employer assistance in obtaining health care.

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The issues

The Progressive Party opposes private-public partnerships/more private sector involvement in the health sector

The Progressives support more private sector involvement in primary healthcare, but not in hospitals. Its policy promises to “Continue to work to re-establish a fully funded free comprehensive public health system through an incremental step by step approach”.

The Progressive Party opposes efforts to encourage New Zealanders to take out private health insurance

The Progressives oppose pushing New Zealanders towards private health insurance, saying they firmly support public health.

The Progressive Party strongly supports the introduction of cheaper dental healthcare

A Progressives spokeswoman say they support free dental care “strongly”. It’s their key policy in this election and they want to see dental care included in the public health system. "We would like to see a policy phased in over the next five years - similar to the roll-out of cheaper doctors' visits. Those population groups in greatest need would get assistance first,” said leader Jim Anderton in October 2008.

The Progressive Party strongly supports free doctors’ visits and prescriptions being offered to all children of primary school age

A Progressives spokeswoman says the party supports extending free healthcare to primary school children. "I'm proud to be part of a Government that has rolled out cheaper primary healthcare for New Zealanders, starting with our most vulnerable,” leader Jim Anderton said in October 2008.

The Progressive Party strongly opposes Pharmac extending the funding of the anti-cancer Herceptin from nine weeks to 12 months

The Progressives support Pharmac’s decision to limit funding to nine weeks and a spokeswoman said the party “opposes politically-based decisions”.

The Progressive Party opposes removing high fat/sugar foods from schools

A Progressives spokeswoman says the party “supports parents making their own decisions”, so opposes restrictions being placed on schools.

The Progressive Party strongly opposes opening ACC to competition from the private sector

As a party that’s strong on affordable public health, a Progressives spokeswoman says it “opposes strongly” any form of private competition with ACC.