SuperGold Health Check Bill

  • defeated on 24 June 2015

SuperGold Health Check Bill

Member’s Bill

172—1

Explanatory note

General policy statement

This Bill provides SuperGold cardholders with an entitlement to 3 free doctor’s visits per year. The intent of this Bill is to prevent older people from ignoring a minor ailment that could deteriorate, requiring subsequent hospitalisation.

The 3 free visits will encourage SuperGold cardholders to get 3 free health checks every year.

If these health checks prevent 1% of those SuperGold cardholders from being admitted to hospital, the policy is fiscally neutral.

Preventing hospitalisation is a huge financial cost saving for our health service and has far-reaching benefits in terms of social, emotional, physical, and psychological wellbeing, especially for older people.

Clause by clause analysis

Clause 1 is the Title clause.

Clause 2 is the commencement clause. It provides for the Bill to come into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal consent.

Clause 3 is the clause that states the purpose of the Bill.

Clause 4 is the interpretation clause that sets out the definitions and terms used in the Bill.

Clause 5 provides that the Act binds the Crown.

Clause 6 provides SuperGold cardholders with an entitlement for 3 annual free doctor’s visits.

Clause 7 provides a permanent legislative authority for any expenses incurred as a result of delivering the policy of the Bill.

Barbara Stewart

SuperGold Health Check Bill

Member’s Bill

172—1

The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:

1 Title

This Act is the SuperGold Health Check Act 2013.

2 Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

3 Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to provide SuperGold cardholders with an entitlement to 3 free doctor’s visits per year.

4 Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

doctor, in relation to a SuperGold cardholder, means a general practitioner of a primary health organisation at which the SuperGold cardholder is enrolled

SuperGold Card means an entitlement card issued under regulation 4(1) of the Social Security (SuperGold Card) Regulations 2007

valid, in relation to a SuperGold Card, means signed by the person to whom it was issued.

5 Act binds the Crown

This Act binds the Crown.

6 Entitlement to 3 annual free doctor’s visits

A SuperGold cardholder is entitled to 3 free doctor’s visits per year if he or she—

(a)

holds a valid SuperGold Card; and

(b)

is enrolled as a patient of a primary health organisation.

7 Funding for free doctors’ visits

Any expenses incurred under section 6 must be paid out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose.