29 Apr 2018

Cuts to doctor's fees may be phased in over time

5:17 pm on 29 April 2018

Labour's pledge to cut fees for doctor's visits by July may have to be phased in over time, the Health Minister says.

Labour Party MP David Clark

Labour Party MP David Clark Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

In its election manifesto, Labour promised to cut fees to visit GPs by $10 a visit, on 1 July.

But speaking on TVNZ's Q + A this morning the minister, David Clark, said the government would have to phase in some of its policies.

Dr Clark said it was too early to make Budget announcements but there were so many areas needing attention, that they could not all be addressed at once.

The government was still committed to reducing the cost of GP visits, Dr Clark said.

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