Labour steps up electoral bidding war

Labour leader David Cunliffe. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Labour's newly announced health care policy could save Tauranga's senior citizens hundreds of dollars a year, but one advocate says it should be means tested.

At Labour's campaign launch over the weekend, leader David Cunliffe unveiled the party's policy to fund free GP visits for about 700,000 people aged over 65, as well as pregnant women.

Labour would also maintain National's policy of extending free GP visits to children aged under 13 from next year.

Labour costed the expense of extending free health care to the over 65s at $120 million a year, including $100 million for GP visits and $20 million for free prescriptions.

Health Minister Tony Ryall described Labour's health policy as desperate electioneering in a last ditch effort to turn around their failing support.

"Labour is promising everything to everybody, with this latest $250 million on top of hundreds of millions of dollars of other promises made during the year.

Age Concern Tauranga chairwoman Deborah Jager said there were a number of seniors in the Bay of Plenty who fell below the poverty line and they would be the ones to benefit from this initiative. She said the policy could potentially save them hundreds of dollars in doctor and prescription fees.

However, she said there were also those who could afford to pay for heath care.

"Potentially there needs to be some sort of means test," she said.

"If they can afford it they should pay."

She said she knew of a number of people in Tauranga who wouldn't go to the doctor because of the cost and said she would support the initiative.

"They sit at home wrapped in blankets because they can't afford heating and they get sick and they don't go to the doctor and it gets worse." Labour Tauranga candidate Rachel Jones said the policy was a massive game changer.

She said many retirees in the Bay of Plenty did not go to the doctor because they could not afford it.

"I know the party has been criticised because of the cost involved but it has all been calculated," she said.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges said National would have more to say on health initiatives in the weeks leading up to the election.

"I think it is safe to say with National, people know what they are getting. This Labour announcement promises everything to everyone."

He said the policy was inconsistent and could not be achieved.

New Zealand First Tauranga candidate Clayton Mitchell said Labour's policy was a generous offer but it would be a struggle to foot the bill.

"Can we afford it? It is a promise they won't be able to keep."

He said people will show up to the doctor unnecessarily simply because it was free, which would "clog up" the health care system.

Mr Ryall said Labour had underestimated the cost of the health promises.

"For example, they haven't allowed for the extra demand if things become free," he said.