The rural health funding gap could be closed for less than $100 million, Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network chief executive Dr Grant Davidson says.

Davidson says the network has put six priorities to political parties this election, from a rural-trained workforce to funding the higher cost of rural general practice.

Rural New Zealand produces more than 80% of export earnings yet carries some of the worst health outcomes, he says.

“Rural people have the lowest rates of hospitalisation, not because they don’t need it, because they don’t go or they can’t afford to go,” he says.

A pre-election panel on 12 October will put the requests to each party.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.

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