“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
