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HEALTH | BUDGET SPECIAL ALERT 2018

Written by Balance CA | Jan 20, 2024 6:50:21 PM

Health spending is the headliner of the 2018 budget, with an extra $750 million allocated to capital spending and an additional $3.2 billion to operational funding over the next 4 years. The Minister described this as “bread and butter funding”. The new capital is slated to replace and refurbish hospitals and healthcare facilities. The additional operational funding is ticketed against a long list, including:

  • relieve pressure on the DHBs
  • free up queues for elective surgery
  • boost fees for midwives
  • improve air ambulance services
  • extend bowel cancer screening
  • pilot an integrated therapies mental health scheme for young people

Free doctors’ visits for everyone under the age of 14 and low-cost GP visits for all community service card holders will help make it an easier decision for many to seek primary health care.