New Zealand First is pleased that 2000 new businesses have signed up to the SuperGold Card scheme but it is urging the Government to also include discounted power and free doctors' visits for the elderly.
Rt Hon Winston Peters says nearly 600,000 superannuitants are benefitting from free and subsidised goods and services provided by the SuperGold Card which was introduced by New Zealand First in 2007.
'Signing up a further 2000 businesses, many of them outside the main centres, over the past two months is good news for the elderly.
'But we are calling on the Government to each year provide three free GP visits for SuperGold Card holders so illnesses can be detected early and expensive hospital stays avoided.”
Winston is also urging the Government to adopt a 10 per cent power discount over the winter months for cardholders.
'The Government has no excuse. We have legislation written and ready to go for both the power discount and free doctor visits schemes.”
Source: New Zealand First.
3 comments
means test
Posted on 13-07-2012 13:49 | By traceybjammet
to ensure those who really need discounts lets means test the pension and make sure we get the people abusing the system as it stands now to pay for themselves. As a country we have to start being sensible life is not a free ride and there is only so much money to go around. I cant see why the power companies cant offer discounts to pensioners like students get discounts for books etc, not sure that companies should be re-imbursed by governments in cash maybe tax credits??
good old Gold Card
Posted on 14-07-2012 21:52 | By wallace
It is good that there is an empthasis on the 2000 more willing firms joining to help us senior cits. l {boldly?} wrote to the Sky Network early last month and asked to consider discount with their vast coverage to us seniors.There was NO reply just an unwelcome price increase for all. They seem to show no concern but advertise "it is your HAPPY PLACE" amongst there massive increasing disruptive advertising. Maybe we were all born in the wrong generation. This not just my opinion but heaps of others - Grumpy old Wol -cheers
Commercial real world
Posted on 16-07-2012 12:23 | By pietkil
Decreased profits (they are not increased costs) from discounts are more than compensated for by increased patronage created. If it weren't so companies wouldn't sign up. Government health costs are lowered if people go to their GP earlier. If the benefits exceed the cost then it makes good sense for governments to pay for early and/or regular GP visits.
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