Four years ago I returned back to New Zealand from Australia and I've come to realise what a fool I was returning to New Zealand.
I'm 80 years old and in Australia they treat the pensioners in a way that they deserve – ie the doctors are free. If you have to have an operation of any kind you get a rebate on everything – insurances, electricity etc. Glasses are free, dentists are free. You get a free train trip to anywhere in Australia.
I had a cataract removed and it only cost me $160, what they call GAP – the government pays the rest. My right eye has a cataract still. I've been having a lot of trouble with it. I saw a specialist and he informed that I really needed it to be removed but seeing I'd had my left one removed I would have to pay for it to be removed. I asked how long does the operation take. He said about 15 minutes – he then said ‘shall I make arrangements for the operation?' I asked how much it would cost. I was shocked. He said one eye would be $3100 - $6200 two eyes.
I told him at that price I'll wait seeing I'm 80 years old.
I wrote to the Health Minister and they looked into it and the specialist told them I really don't need it – he told me I really needed it – covering his back?
The Minister told me that all operations for cataracts are free when they are bad enough (both eyes).
You don't have to pay anything – and now I had to see a dentist to have one tooth removed.
It took the dentist about 20 minutes whilst in the chair to have it removed. I was told that it would cost $435 – for one tooth! No wonder poor old pensioners think twice before they go to the dentist.
How can they warrant that massive cost (also the eye specialist)?
I came back from Australia for family reasons – I really regret coming back to this country.
At one period I was paying $25,000 tax each year until the crash and I lost most of my money.
I don't suppose you will print this but someone needs to stick up for the old people and how they are treated.
John Green, Tauranga.