Fabulous comment Nick, and a very important issue! Yes we do care, we care a lot, as it is fundamental to our lives. Many times, I have been very grateful.
I have family in USA. Here a simple blood test may cost $60.00; over there several $100.. why? Because the investors/ private health companies are sandwiched between the giver and the receiver. Here in NZ, the glamour in the offices & promotional magazines of the HRT suppliers ( hormonal replacement therapy, privately run) is visible.
If anyone cannot see how this will cost us, the ordinary NZ er, they are daft!
We understand the infrastructure needs but we MUST fight to retain our NZ health system in our taxpayer hands.
We all knew this was coming and the big problem is that this current coalition doesn't like experts and expert advice. Dunedin was a great and inspiring example of ordinary kiwis encompassing voters of all persuasions standing up and saying NO....and the government still aren't listening...along with experts they don't like people, especially poor people, brown people, disabled people, bottom feeders etc etc etc..the only people they are interested in are their rich mates and servicing the desires of their wealthy donors.
...and now I hear on the midday news that according to Stuart Smith ( National - who would have guessed ) that the country won't be able to afford to pay out for future natural or weather disasters. They can afford to borrow an extra $12Billion adding to the countries overall debt ( now the highest ever ) to pay for tax cuts, give $2.9Billion to landlords and Big Tobacco and pay their mates like Steven Joyce and the Double Dipper shit tons to give them the answers they asked for...hospitals, schools, disability assistance, Whaakata Maori TV, Te Reo training in schools and now weather events. What next I wonder????
I wonder if private investment in health services and infrastructure is why Luxon is selling his redo rentals. Does he know he will make more from investing in health infrastructure in the future.
Well who would know with Luxon, He's already rich and is apparently very comfortably smug about that ( face punchably smug ). ( Ciga )Reti already has private health investments in Whangarei/ Northland areas.
Pink Floyd's music is just too exquisite to be sullied by any thought or mention of Luxon. Oooohhhh that gives me a creepy unpleasant nauseous feeling...
Great summary Nick. Given how much of our health system is already private, GP's, Testing, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, and other rehabilitation to name a few and that it's not uncommon for private health companies to be contracted to support public health shortfalls, we are really only talking about hospitals. The last bastion of a public health service run to ruin. Public services can not make profits, if private business gets in amongst it, they are being given our tax dollars to provide the cheapest service they can get away with. They end up being monopolies anyway, since there is no way for competition to work when there is only one hospital in the region. You are correct Labour/Green/TPM need to say in no uncertain terms that when they get back in all contracts will be reviewed, likely terminated and any private investment will be nationalised.
And who is it who lines the pockets of private investors? The taxpayer. On the one hand this government says it wants to reduce the burden on the taxpayer but the other it’s inviting private investors to profit from the NZ taxpayer. Just like lining the pockets of landlords with the accommodation supplement or early childhood education providers with ECE subsidies. And the majority of voters don’t seem to get this
This is one of the things I enjoy about your daily blog - you address the current issue. Health system, just the subject many of us are so ‘troubled’ about. Yes totally agree with your synopsis and would look to the opposition parties doing this the sooner the better. There can be no doubt that Health NZ has been coached by its new chair Levey! Grrrr
Everything about these guys is short-termism and opportunism - except for trying to lock in long term revenue for their mates. Yes, opposition parties have to be upfront and clear about undoing anything that looks like privatisation - we can’t change the minds of this government but we can scare off the investors. Could we bring in a mendacity tax?
No surprise that these murmurings, or more accurately should I say, gaslightings are now being conveniently released into our media scape now that the clown coalition has fired the professionals and installed their handpicked henchman Lester Levy. This is a copybook Tory operation that we’re suffering here. The vigilance required to keep ahead of this and hopefully ward off the destruction of our public services, is daunting. Maintaining this rage is exhausting. Labour, the Greens and TPM need to be shouting this down from the rooftops. But will anyone in our media do their actual
jobs and shout about it too? No prizes for for all us being unsurprised when they don’t. These arse hats have been in charge for 11 months and already the for sale signs are being hammered up everywhere we look.
Thanks Nick........has this tractor beam towards privatisation run thru all parties in government going back decades? Has that been behind underinvestment and total lack of foresight?
It feels like a nightmare that could have been avoided, if there had been some serious political will and vision. Alas alack........seems like nada. Hard to not feel betrayed by them all, as well as being fucking angry.
🙋Agree with the rest who say the Opposition parties need to be loud & strong in saying any and all private partnerships entered into in this space WILL BE CANCELLED and with no compensation. Even if the corporate media don't give it much prominence, the people who might jump on board will hear it if it gets amplified enough in independent media. It anecdotedly has worked with oil & gas exploration moves, with reportedly some companies realising a Labour led govt would reverse the policy so they don't want to waste their time & $$👍
Yes there are a number of issues now that the opposition should be all over and stating exactly what they would do when elected. Charter schools, climate change, health, electricity etc. No more privatisation
Excellent as usual, Nick!! Why doesn’t this crazy gove4nment just call for a snap election, or run for the hills? Kiwis care! We’re not going to let thi# disaster-prone government continue!!
As is usual now I'll open this up if it reaches 100 likes by this evening.
Fabulous comment Nick, and a very important issue! Yes we do care, we care a lot, as it is fundamental to our lives. Many times, I have been very grateful.
I have family in USA. Here a simple blood test may cost $60.00; over there several $100.. why? Because the investors/ private health companies are sandwiched between the giver and the receiver. Here in NZ, the glamour in the offices & promotional magazines of the HRT suppliers ( hormonal replacement therapy, privately run) is visible.
If anyone cannot see how this will cost us, the ordinary NZ er, they are daft!
We understand the infrastructure needs but we MUST fight to retain our NZ health system in our taxpayer hands.
my last blood test - last month was free.
Never had to pay and have had plenty recently as happens to some whe getting older
Although having said it has been part of Dr's consultation etc fee for me anyway is still $19.50
Wow, my Dr visit yesterday cost $68, but the prescription (several items ) was still free. Yes, I am a superannuitant.
Peter Gow, I had blood tests yesterday following a Dr appointment - no charge.
I agree 💯
We all knew this was coming and the big problem is that this current coalition doesn't like experts and expert advice. Dunedin was a great and inspiring example of ordinary kiwis encompassing voters of all persuasions standing up and saying NO....and the government still aren't listening...along with experts they don't like people, especially poor people, brown people, disabled people, bottom feeders etc etc etc..the only people they are interested in are their rich mates and servicing the desires of their wealthy donors.
...and now I hear on the midday news that according to Stuart Smith ( National - who would have guessed ) that the country won't be able to afford to pay out for future natural or weather disasters. They can afford to borrow an extra $12Billion adding to the countries overall debt ( now the highest ever ) to pay for tax cuts, give $2.9Billion to landlords and Big Tobacco and pay their mates like Steven Joyce and the Double Dipper shit tons to give them the answers they asked for...hospitals, schools, disability assistance, Whaakata Maori TV, Te Reo training in schools and now weather events. What next I wonder????
Not paying out after natural disasters?? WTAF?
WTAF!!!! Give me a socialist country any day of the week.
I wonder if private investment in health services and infrastructure is why Luxon is selling his redo rentals. Does he know he will make more from investing in health infrastructure in the future.
Well who would know with Luxon, He's already rich and is apparently very comfortably smug about that ( face punchably smug ). ( Ciga )Reti already has private health investments in Whangarei/ Northland areas.
Punchably smug is the perfect description. Thank you!
There must be a song to the tune of Comfortably Numb, in there somewhere? Nick? 🥴🥴
Pink Floyd's music is just too exquisite to be sullied by any thought or mention of Luxon. Oooohhhh that gives me a creepy unpleasant nauseous feeling...
Initially I felt the same Brian, it's probably my favourite song ever.
David Gilmour's live at Pompeii solo just about brings tears to the eyes. However, as soon as I saw Punchingly Smug, though, I
thought, "hmm, thi has potential" 🤔😊
"Luxo, are there any brain cells in there, I think I hear a rattle, so there's a chance there might be one"
and so it goes.....
Of course he does. They're just interested in investing in NZ as a country club for the boys
Blatantly underbudget the sector and then claim we can't afford it. I hope there are more people seeing this for what it is. Voter manipulation.
Fund ALL public services as required.
Time for some more equitable taxes and responsible spending for the services NZers need.
Great summary Nick. Given how much of our health system is already private, GP's, Testing, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, and other rehabilitation to name a few and that it's not uncommon for private health companies to be contracted to support public health shortfalls, we are really only talking about hospitals. The last bastion of a public health service run to ruin. Public services can not make profits, if private business gets in amongst it, they are being given our tax dollars to provide the cheapest service they can get away with. They end up being monopolies anyway, since there is no way for competition to work when there is only one hospital in the region. You are correct Labour/Green/TPM need to say in no uncertain terms that when they get back in all contracts will be reviewed, likely terminated and any private investment will be nationalised.
Absolutely! Especially your final statement.
Hear hear!
And who is it who lines the pockets of private investors? The taxpayer. On the one hand this government says it wants to reduce the burden on the taxpayer but the other it’s inviting private investors to profit from the NZ taxpayer. Just like lining the pockets of landlords with the accommodation supplement or early childhood education providers with ECE subsidies. And the majority of voters don’t seem to get this
Absolutely.
This is one of the things I enjoy about your daily blog - you address the current issue. Health system, just the subject many of us are so ‘troubled’ about. Yes totally agree with your synopsis and would look to the opposition parties doing this the sooner the better. There can be no doubt that Health NZ has been coached by its new chair Levey! Grrrr
Everything about these guys is short-termism and opportunism - except for trying to lock in long term revenue for their mates. Yes, opposition parties have to be upfront and clear about undoing anything that looks like privatisation - we can’t change the minds of this government but we can scare off the investors. Could we bring in a mendacity tax?
No surprise that these murmurings, or more accurately should I say, gaslightings are now being conveniently released into our media scape now that the clown coalition has fired the professionals and installed their handpicked henchman Lester Levy. This is a copybook Tory operation that we’re suffering here. The vigilance required to keep ahead of this and hopefully ward off the destruction of our public services, is daunting. Maintaining this rage is exhausting. Labour, the Greens and TPM need to be shouting this down from the rooftops. But will anyone in our media do their actual
jobs and shout about it too? No prizes for for all us being unsurprised when they don’t. These arse hats have been in charge for 11 months and already the for sale signs are being hammered up everywhere we look.
Thanks Nick........has this tractor beam towards privatisation run thru all parties in government going back decades? Has that been behind underinvestment and total lack of foresight?
It feels like a nightmare that could have been avoided, if there had been some serious political will and vision. Alas alack........seems like nada. Hard to not feel betrayed by them all, as well as being fucking angry.
🙋Agree with the rest who say the Opposition parties need to be loud & strong in saying any and all private partnerships entered into in this space WILL BE CANCELLED and with no compensation. Even if the corporate media don't give it much prominence, the people who might jump on board will hear it if it gets amplified enough in independent media. It anecdotedly has worked with oil & gas exploration moves, with reportedly some companies realising a Labour led govt would reverse the policy so they don't want to waste their time & $$👍
Yes there are a number of issues now that the opposition should be all over and stating exactly what they would do when elected. Charter schools, climate change, health, electricity etc. No more privatisation
Excellent as usual, Nick!! Why doesn’t this crazy gove4nment just call for a snap election, or run for the hills? Kiwis care! We’re not going to let thi# disaster-prone government continue!!
No no no no. Name me 1 essential public service that has got better under private management.
Yes c’mon opposition parties stand up and fight for public hospitals. Do it loud and clear so people are in no doubt which party(ies) to vote for.
OMG scary times.
Damn straight it's bloody grim all right...