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Doctor visits and drug prescriptions will be cheaper for more Wairarapa people when the next phase of the Government's primary health care programme comes into force tomorrow, says Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer.
The rollout of lower cost primary health care visits and capped fees on most prescribed medicines for all 18-24 year-olds enrolled in Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) should benefit around 11,900 people in the Midcentral DHB's area.
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Health Minister Annette King this week announced funding of $17.2 million in 2005-06 to roll out the next stage of the Primary Health Care Strategy, providing cheaper care for all 18-24 year olds enrolled in PHOs. The funding is part of the Government's $2.2 billion package to implement the strategy over seven years, beginning in 2002-03.
"The new funding benefits an extra 11,871 people aged 18-24 who're enrolled in interim PHOs in Midcentral DHB. Around 10,300 people in that age group already benefit because they are enrolled with Access PHOs," said Ms Beyer.
The latest age group will join about 20,900 people in the 65-plus age group who have had access cheaper doctor fees and $3 prescriptions since July last year. Around 26,000 6-17 year olds have been eligible for these benefits since 2003.
"It makes sense to extend the lower cost scheme to the 18 to 24 age group as they often have high mental and sexual health needs and tend to earn less. It's also important to establish a lifetime habit of seeking help for problems early, before they become bigger health issues," said Ms Beyer.
"Next July we will extend the scheme to 45 to 64-year-olds, and to all other New Zealanders enrolled in PHOs from July 2007. To really improve the overall health of New Zealanders we need to ensure access to low cost, high quality primary health care."
Web: www.moh.govt.nz/primaryhealthcare
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