Full Article: https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/hospitalised-kiwis-deserve-financial-fairness-not-hardship
Fiona Charlton highlights the plight of chronically ill New Zealanders facing financial hardship due to a policy that cuts benefits and superannuation after 13 weeks of hospitalisation. For those with severe ME/CFS and Long Covid, extended hospital stays are often unavoidable, yet the current system fails to provide necessary financial support, exacerbating their struggles. ANZMES has launched a petition urging the abolition of this policy, emphasising the need for equity and dignity in healthcare. The article stresses the systemic barriers and inequalities faced by patients and calls for transformative change to prioritize healthcare and economic security for all vulnerable individuals.
Link to Petition: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/fairness-for-the-hospitalised-stop-benefit-cuts-after-13-weeks