Possible changes to the way district health boards are structured and funded are "short-sighted" and could have "significant consequences", according to Whanganui District Health Board member Judith MacDonald.
A document leaked recently to Radio New Zealand includes a series of reviews of the health sector put in place when the new Director-General of Health, Chai Chuah, took on the role in March.
Mr Chuah's proposals include reducing the number of DHB members, and having DHB funding based on meeting certain targets. The proposals would see DHB boards reduced from 11 members - seven elected at local government elections and four appointed by the Minister of Health - to nine, six of which would be appointed by the minister.
DHBs would also receive their funds based on achieving planned targets. If those targets were missed the money would be withheld and given to other providers.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomed the proposals as "good for debate".