Joyce hits out at “Activity Tax”

Welsh Labour AM Joyce Watson has labelled Welsh Conservative proposals to create an activity tax as “utterly bizarre.”
Earlier this month, during a health debate at the Senedd, Conservative spokesman Darren Millar suggested people who suffer injuries as a result of “high risk” activity should foot the bill for NHS treatment.
After being asked whether people who go skiing should be charged by the NHS if they have an accident, the Conservative health spokesperson said:
“I think if people put themselves in areas of high risk through their own choice then there ought to be a discussion about whether it’s appropriate for the NHS to pick up the bill for the risks that they take.”
Mid and West AM Joyce Watson said:
“I can only guess that Darren Millar made this proposal up on the spot. A policy such as this would seriously discriminate against people taking part in healthy activity.
“Where on earth do you draw the line with this? You could have an utterly bizarre situation where if you twist your ankle out walking on the beach at Tenby or injure your knee playing Sunday football then you could be forced to pay thousands of pounds for your treatment.
“This is a slippery slope to a private health insurance scheme and is not something we would ever advocate.
“The NHS should remain free at the point of access and rest assured as long as Labour remains in Government in Wales we will not introduce the Conservative activity tax.
“It is easy for opposition politicians to sit there putting forward half-baked ideas but this would have devastating consequences for people who simply can’t afford to pay for private healthcare.”
For more information contact Joyce Watson’s office on 02920 898972 or at www.joycewatson.co.uk