Lucy
Ratcliffe
The Budget heralds a mixed bag for public health, Public Health
Association executive officer Gay Keating says.
The housing insulation package worth $323.3 million over four years
and the commitment to increase grants for community housing, worth
$40 million, are great news, Dr Keating says.
She also welcomes the increased funding for maternity and for aged
care.
"However, there's very little in the Budget that says: 'we're going
to do this and it will make New Zealanders healthier'," she
says.
If the Government wishes to make a real difference to waiting lists
for elective services, an investment needs to be made in avoidable
hospital admissions, Dr Keating says.