The budget proposition to have free medical care for under-13s, from next year, is a stunning move by the Government.
Frankly, it should have happened a lot sooner than this, either by this Government or the previous one. It means about 400,000 children can now go to the doctor for free. Im guessing it is a reflection on the surplus the Government says it has to dish out, but its also an election year, and a family-friendly budget can score points with the voters and yet again take the wind out of social policies Labour may have wanted to broadcast, or already mooted. Labour have argued that the Government is borrowing from Labours policies for this budget, and sure, probably. But while I was wondering if they would give some love to paid parental leave, the free doctors visits and prescriptions for under-13s was a surprise. I know there will be those who say the paid parental leave, although extended, still hasnt gone as far as Northern Hemisphere countries. The trouble is, were not as rich as those countries. When I reported for papers in Wellington and Porirua, it was known that parents would do the best they could for their children, but if money was tight they would weigh up whether a trip to the doctor, or the local after-hours clinic, was affordable that week. Under this policy, that stressor is gone. What will be interesting is whether all medical centres obey it. Previously the concept was free medical care for under-sixes, but, like state education, sometimes its not truly free. I cant speak for Wairarapa, but it was known that some medical centres in the capital still charged a nominal fee for under-sixes, on the basis that the Governments reimbursement didnt cover the expenses. Other medical centres stuck to the principle that free meant free. Whether thats still the case now, I dont know, but I really hope the centres here in Wairarapa are able to stand by it.
On the negative side of the budget, it seems a bit concerning the police budget has been frozen for the fifth consecutive year. The Government says a smarter approach to policing has reduced costs. In the long term, funding social schemes, providing better housing, better education and better health probably does mean a drop in crime, and it is good to think about the future health of the country. But its very long term, and I dont think we should thin the blue line this soon.
