Labour this morning unveiled a shiny new election promise: three free doctor’s visits a year for every New Zealander. It’s being sold as a major step forward for healthcare, a policy wrapped in good intentions and funded, they say, by “simple, targeted changes” to the tax system that will make property investors pay more.
Their post read: “Under Labour, everyone will get three free doctor’s visits. We will create a new Medicard entitling every New Zealander to three free doctor’s visits a year. And it’s all paid for through simple, targeted changes to the tax system that make sure those profiting from property pay their fair share. Nine out of ten New Zealanders won’t pay a dollar, but every New Zealander will get three free doctor’s visits a year. The next Labour Government will back New Zealand’s potential and put Kiwis’ health first.”
It sounds wonderful at first glance. Who doesn’t like “free”? But here’s the thing, free doctor visits don’t interest me in the slightest. If I need to see my GP, I’ll happily pay the $70 consultation fee. My doctor spent years studying, sat through brutal exams, worked unpaid hospital hours, and paid tens of thousands of dollars to get there. The least I can do is respect that and pay for their time.
That’s how professions work. You put in the years, you build your expertise, and you’re remunerated for it. It’s no different to paying a lawyer for legal advice, a mechanic for fixing your car, or a builder for constructing your home. Why should medical professionals be treated any differently just because it feels good politically to label healthcare as “free”?
Now, don’t get me wrong, I fully support the idea of subsidised or free healthcare for those who genuinely need it. People on pensions, low-income earners, or those with community service cards absolutely deserve support. But there’s a difference between compassion and overreach. If you can afford to pay for your doctor, you should. It’s that simple.