Asked if he wanted more money for Pharmac, Little said: "I wanted us to fulfil our manifesto promise, and we've done that." The health budget also sees the first tranche of funding for the health reforms Little is implementing: allocation of $486 million to move from the DHBs model to a central Health NZ agency. The Budget also establishes the Māori Health Authority, which will be set up out of a $243 million allocation for Māori health. Cochlear implantsThere is also a boost in funding to double the number of adults who get cochlear implants. The Health Budget also sees $516 million to boost the health infrastructure system, such as the patient records system, $400 million to support those with long term impairments.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 20, 2021 02:12 UTC