The National Party on Health Policy w/ Shane Reti: September 24, 2020

For our election coverage on health policy, Jemima spoke to the National Party's Dr Shane Reti last week about their health package. The policy covers a wide range of health issues but the party has particularly highlighted that they will increase funding to PHARMAC meaning better access to medicine, institute an elective surgery commitment, provide quicker cancer diagnosis and management, AND add to the general practice primary care team. The party has also rejected aspects of the New Zealand Health and Disability Sector Review which was led by civil servant Heather Simpson and released midway through this year. Jemima spoke to Shane about the health policy and why some of the Simpson review has been rejected. She also asked about the Party's Mental Health and Disability policies, which are expected to be announced this week.