A report on the funding of health services due by the end of the year should help address issues of underfunding of child visits to GPs.
At present, under 6-year-olds get free medical visits but evidence suggests increasing numbers of GPs are charging an additional fee, saying the subsidy no longer
covers the cost.
When the Government set the $32.50 subsidy to allow the GP visits for under 6-year-olds in 1997, it described the service as free, but GPs never gave up their right to make a part charge.
The subsidy has not increased in four years, and many GPs now say they can no longer cover the cost.
Of those still offering free care, several have said they will have to consider a top-up fee.
The Government report was set up to consider funding sources for the public health service. It would examine the present financing infrastructure and consider new approaches.
Health Minister Annette King said the under-6 scheme had never achieved the aim set by the previous Government because many doctors had levied additional payments from the outset.
Her spokesman said the Government's health policy was to place the emphasis on primary healthcare, "rather than the expensive end which is the hospital end".
The report would look at ways of addressing that.
The Medical Association defended the additional charges, issuing a letter that doctors can show parents to explain why they charge.
Association chairman John Adams said it was "unavoidable" - given rising costs.
Mrs King's spokesman said the Government was helpless to prevent this and had refrained from pouring more money into subsidies while it reviewed the whole basis of primary healthcare funding.
Changes stemming from the review would increase "affordability of healthcare for all New Zealanders".
The changes are expected to see doctors paid a set amount for each patient enrolled with them instead of the existing fee-for-service system.
- NZPA
