Mana News editor Joe Trinder

Free doctors’ visits and prescriptions for  all children aged under 13 was promised by the Finance minister Bill English in last years budget. This promise has been broken by the National government and ACC Minister Nikki Kaye decided paying for 90 percent coverage was near enough.

The National government celebrated as more than 400,000 school children would be entitled to free GP visits through one of the biggest surprises in the Budget 2014. Then in 2015 parents are horrified to learn some children will miss out.

This policy has been changed to 213,000 children will receive free injury-related doctors visits.  When the National government makes a promise it should stand by that promise.