New Zealanders facing long hospital stays risk financial stress due to a policy that cuts benefits after 13 weeks. Advocates call for reforms to support patients’ needs. Rising healthcare costs add to the burden, prompting a public petition for changes to ensure welfare support aligns with healthcare affordability.
New Zealanders facing prolonged hospital stays may experience significant financial strain due to existing government policies and escalating healthcare costs. A critical issue arises from a policy enforced by the Ministry of Social Development, which automatically reduces income support to $56.58 per week for individuals hospitalized longer than 13 weeks.
Advocacy groups contend that this limit inadequately supports those unable to manage essential expenses like rent, insurance, and medical costs. The situation garnered attention with the case of Rhiannon Purves, a Wellington resident who spent several months in the hospital due to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Her income support was cut by over 85%, leaving her with barely enough funds to cover necessities such as supplements and personal care items. This highlights the broader issue of how current policies fail to address the financial responsibilities patients face during extended illness.
Health advocates are pressing for three crucial changes: ending the automatic benefit reduction after 13 weeks, transitioning to individualized assessments of support needs, and ensuring income continuity for those undergoing long-term treatment.
Fiona Charlton, president of the Associated New Zealand Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Society (ANZMES), emphasized the need for a welfare system that protects vulnerable patients rather than punishes them during critical times. Compounding these concerns, a recent report from Aon plc indicates that New Zealand’s medical inflation rate is projected to hit 14.5%, up from 7.4% the previous year, largely due to delayed procedures from the COVID-19 pandemic and rising claim volumes. This trend pressures both public and private healthcare systems, leading to increased costs for businesses and individuals.
In light of these challenges, a public petition titled “Fairness for the Hospitalised: Stop Benefit Cuts After 13 Weeks” has been launched, urging policymakers to reassess the intersection of welfare support and healthcare affordability and advocate for essential reforms for those in need.
