tmmonline.nz  |   landlords.co.nz        About Good Returns  |  Advertise  |  Contact Us  |  Terms & Conditions  |  RSS Feeds

NZ's Financial Adviser News Centre

GR Logo
Last Article Uploaded: Tuesday, March 19th, 6:25PM

Insurance

rss
Latest Headlines

HFA opposes health tax

The Health Funds Association argues a dedicated health tax would noit be good for the health insurance industry.

Wednesday, July 10th 2002, 9:26PM

The Health Funds Association (HFA) is challenging Government assurances that a dedicated health tax would not lead to tax increases.

"You’ve got to question why the Government would create a ring-fenced health tax if it has no intention of raising the tax in the future," says HFA executive director Andrea Pettett.

Ring-fencing part of the existing tax take for health alone would reduce the Government’s ability to manage fiscal risk and expose health funding to economic booms and busts, Pettett says.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen was last week forced to confirm what has been an open secret in the health industry – that officials are exploring options for a health tax. Although Cullen insisted any health tax would not lead to an increase in taxes, opposition parties claim the tax is part of Labour’s "secret agenda" to raise taxes.

The HFA strongly opposes a health tax, saying overseas experience shows such taxes lead to a drop off in the up take of health insurance, resulting in more people relying on already over-burdened public health systems.

Pettett she’s please the issue is now out in the open, where it can be debated more easily.

"We believe there are more risks than benefits to a health tax, and politicians and the public have a right to know about those risks before the idea of a health tax is sold to them."

Good Returns understands the Ministry of Health and Treasury have prepared an initial report but it is not yet available.

« Online insurance sales flopSelling health insurance to oldies »

Special Offers

Commenting is closed

 

print

Printable version  

print

Email to a friend
Insurance Briefs

AIA adds cover for prophylactic surgery following cancer
AIA makes changes to policies and adds preventative surgery for several types of cancer.

Chubb appoints David Morrow as Country President for New Zealand
Chubb has appointed David Morrow as Country President for New Zealand.

nib adds specialist skills to its board
Two new board appointments at health insurer nib add new perspectives, chairman says.

nib gets new CFO
Alvin Soh has joined nib New Zealand as its chief financial officer. Heh is a chartered accountant with more than 20 years of commercial experience in leadership roles.

News Bites
Latest Comments
Subscribe Now

Cover Notes - Specific news aimed at risk advisers

Previous News
Most Commented On
About Us  |  Advertise  |  Contact Us  |  Terms & Conditions  |  Privacy Policy  |  RSS Feeds  |  Letters  |  Archive  |  Toolbox  |  Disclaimer
 
Site by Web Developer and eyelovedesign.com
x