Health Minister Shane Reti has vetoed free healthcare services for young Māori and Pasifika in Hawke’s Bay after complaints from the ACT Party.
He told Newstalk ZB he had spoken to Health New Zealand’s regional arm, OurHealth Hawke’s Bay, about its criteria for funding free GP and registered nurse healthcare services in the region for young people aged 14-24 years.
The criteria initially included anyone in that age group who was Māori or Pasifika as well as those who held a community services card, lived in the most deprived areas or were diagnosed with a long-term condition such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Dr Reti says the Government’s policy statement on health puts needs as the highest priority for funding services, and the officials had failed to read the room.
