The annual July 1 reset kicks in today, with the launch of a new 24/7 online health service and changes to rental standards, transport fares and more, writes Catherine McGregor in today’s extract from The Bulletin.
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Round-the-clock GP care goes nationwide
Following a pilot programme last month, people anywhere in the country can now see a New Zealand-registered doctor or nurse practitioner online. The new 24/7 digital health service, named Online GP Care and launching nationwide today, allows people to book secure video consultations for non-urgent health concerns through one of eight approved providers. Health minister Simeon Brown says the service is designed to give patients 24-hour access to healthcare, while easing pressure on busy GP clinics and emergency departments. Patients can get prescriptions, referrals or lab tests, and clinical notes are sent to their regular GP to ensure continuity of care. Some groups, including children under 14 and Community Services Card holders, will have part or all of the cost covered. Costs for adults without a card range from $69 to $99.
A new era for rental properties
Since it’s July 1, there’s a raft of other changes starting today, including the healthy homes standards, which are now fully in force for all residential rental properties – six years after they passed into law. As of today, every rental home must meet minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture drainage and draught stopping. Gabi Lardies has all the details of the new rules – and any loopholes – on The Spinoff here.
For tenants, this should mean a warmer, drier, healthier place to live. However, tenancy advisor Sarina Gibbon tells the Herald’s Anne Gibson (paywalled) the maximum fine of $7,200 per breach is too low to act as a serious deterrent for non-compliant landlords. The government says that while $7,200 is the maximum penalty, the Tenancy Tribunal can also award compensation and order the landlord to carry out work up to a value of $100,000.
Wegovy arrives on pharmacy shelves
Also from today, New Zealanders will be able to get a prescription for Wegovy, the weight-loss version of the diabetes drug Ozempic. Both drugs contain semaglutide, a substance that mimics a natural appetite hormone to help people eat less. Unlike Ozempic, which is approved here for diabetes (but widely used off-label in the US), Wegovy is specifically approved for treating obesity. It’s not cheap: patients can expect to pay between $450 and $600 a month, as Pharmac has yet to fund the drug – though talks about possible funding are ongoing, according to manufacturer Novo Nordisk, Stuff’s Michael Daly reports.
Wegovy prescriptions will be limited to people with a BMI over 30, or between 27 and 30 if they have related health issues. Patients must see a doctor for baseline tests and will need regular monitoring while using the self-administered weekly injection.
Higher costs for getting around and staying well
This week also brings some unwelcome changes for household budgets. As Stuff’s Bridie Witton explains, GP visits will get a little pricier for many patients as part of the government’s recently announced funding boost for primary care. Clinics that accept the full 9.13% funding increase have agreed to keep patient fee rises to no more than 3% – but some may opt for a smaller 6.43% funding boost, giving them more freedom to set fees higher.
Meanwhile, catching the bus or train in some parts of the country is also more expensive, as regional councils respond to new government directives to shift more of the cost burden to passengers. In Wellington, Metlink’s Snapper card fares go up 2.2% today and the popular off-peak discount drops from 50% to 30%. Christchurch commuters will see the Metrocard adult fare jump a massive 50%, from $2 to $3, starting July 7.
Changes to benefits and contributions
Several changes to government benefits also kick in today, RNZ reports. Parents taking time off work to care for new babies will see their maximum weekly parental leave payment rise from $754.87 to $788.66 before tax, with a small boost too for the minimum payment to self-employed parents. For people receiving Jobseeker Support, the rules tighten: the period before needing to reapply shortens from a year to six months, part of wider efforts to encourage more people back into work sooner. And finally, it’s a new year in the world of KiwiSaver, meaning the lower government contribution starts today – down from 50 to 25 cents for every dollar saved, up to a maximum of $260.72 a year.
