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NZHT News

Happy New Year to all our supporters
In this newsletter no 22 
  • A call for more “Save our Supplements” (SOS) postcards.
  • An update from the political scene.
  • Looking ahead to the rest of 2006.
  • Update your records please.
 
“Save Our Supplements” (SOS) Postcards

We have been tremendously heartened by the number of SOS Postcards we have already received, showing once again that the average New Zealand health consumer and industry is very concerned by the proposal for NZ to give away its right's to make its own health decisions, and supports the position the New Zealand Health Trust and many other groups have taken opposing the Government's plans in this regard.

For the NZ Health Trust to have the greatest impact, we want to demonstrate to the politicians that a majority of New Zealanders will not accept Aussie rules.  For this we need the supporter numbers to climb even further.  Almost without exception, every time we speak to people about this proposal they know little about it and are appalled at the plans.  As soon as they understand the issues they want to do what they can to help defeat the proposal.  We are very grateful for our growing core of support but we need all our supporters to explain to others what is at risk here and how much they can achieve towards protecting future health choices just by completing the SOS cards and encouraging friends and colleagues to do the same.  When you ask us what you can do to help - for now, this is the answer.  Please help us in our campaign to be the loudest voice in Parliament on this issue.

For supplies of SOS cards or more information visit the website http://nzhealthtrust.co.nz/support_forms.html

Or contact the trust by email, phone, fax or post (contact details at bottom of newsletter). 

Political update

The dust has settled from the election, the settling in period has all but past and the MP's are returning from leave, about to get back in to the business of making laws once more.

While many of the MP's we have forged good relationships with remain in strong positions, there are now also new MP's in Parliament and on the Health Select Committee and new caucuses to debate these issues.

Already we have had a number of strong expressions of interest from opposition parties wishing to understand these issues and we are working with them to ensure that they don't only get to hear the carefully managed Government spin on this.  We continue to enjoy the clear and unequivocal support of the Greens, ACT and New Zealand First and remain confident that the National Party, United Future and the Maori party will also refuse to be the party that helped Labour to give away our health rights.

It would be good for all those concerned to contact the MP's in their area, either electorate or list MP's, and let them know how important this issue is to you.  In politics issues can easily become stale and get buried and that is what Labour, having failed in all previous attempts, is now banking on.  By deferring the new agency'  s proposed start date indefinitely they have signalled a clear intention just to "wait it out".  They hope that New Zealanders will eventually just get sick of the issue and stop making any noise about it.  If we are going to preserve a future for our children and our grandchildren that includes the right to make your own health decisions, we cannot let that happen.


Looking ahead

We believe that 2006 is going to be a landmark year.  More and more consumers are beginning to demand an accountable health system that puts their interests above all else and where regulators genuinely act as a barrier between the consumers and the rampant greed of the mega pharmaceutical companies.  They are looking for a system that provides them the inalienable right to chose their own treatment and to do so with high quality alternatives and clear unbiased information available to them.  They do not want a system where regulators who are off shore, accountable to no one and protected from liability, work to reduce consumers' abilities to keep themselves well and yet that is what the Government is trying to give us.

The proposed Trans Tasman TGA is becoming the catalyst for many people demanding major change in health, it has made many people see that we cannot just sit back and let the Government do what it wishes without careful scrutiny and outrage if the proposals are not in our best interests.  In this regard New Zealand is waking up to the same issues that are becoming understood all around the world.

As part of this, the New Zealand Health Trust is working with a number of key industry people to put together a body that all those seeking a new outlook on health regulation can join to harness this tide of consumer and industry opinion.  As soon as preparatory work is complete we shall invite you to become a part of this long overdue exciting new approach.

In the meantime we are told to expect the draft legislation to legitimise the TTTGA proposal shortly and once that appears there will be a flurry of activity of analysis and submissions and probably another round of select committee hearings although, as we reported last year, Labour is trying to undermine the support we have built amongst the Health Select Committee by sending that draft Bill to another committee, quite possibly Foreign Affairs.  Once again we will keep you posted as we learn more.

Updating your contact records

Since the start of the NZHT Newsletters we have built up a good data base of contacts.  It would be extremely helpful to our success if you would go to the website and ensure that the contact information we have for you is accurate and that you make any changes where necessary. 
Please update your details by clicking this link this link

 
Kind Regards
Dave Sloan

 
 

 

 
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