In a recent development, senior doctors employed in public hospitals have decisively voted against a proposal to have their private health insurance funded by Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora. The decision was disclosed in an article published by Microsoft Start.
For the proposal to be considered for inclusion in a union claim, a majority of doctors were required to vote in favor. However, only 40% of the medical professionals backed the proposition, leading to its rejection.
Expressing dismay at the outcome, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists conveyed frustration following the close vote. Sarah Dalton, the executive director of the association, highlighted that while some members voiced concerns regarding access to healthcare through the public system, the proposal did not align with the union’s mandate to advocate for robust public healthcare accessible to all.
Dalton elaborated on the reasons behind the failed vote, citing concerns among members about Health New Zealand’s role as an employer and doubts about the capacity of the public health system to meet increasing demands. Additionally, she noted that many members believed senior doctors and dentists, with their higher salaries, were better equipped to provide for their own private health insurance needs.
Despite the motion for employer-funded private health insurance not garnering enough support, it succeeded in sparking discussions about the state of the healthcare system and its funding. Dalton emphasized the need for constructive conversations about government funding for public healthcare, stressing that the current system falls short in adequately meeting the needs of the populace.
