Go public, not private

My advice to Chan-Riche Sykes (Youngster hits back at premiums shock, Feb 4) would be not to bother taking out private health insurance. Firstly, the premiums will continue to escalate as she ages (something she has found already at the age of 20). Secondly, for any accidents, cancer, or illnesses requiring hospitalisation, she will be covered by a pretty good public system.

OK, the cost of GP visits can mount up and later on – to avoid the often long waiting lists associated with chronic ailments of the elderly – she may want to ‘‘go private’’, but if she puts away money regularly into a savings account she would have the option of paying for that type of care if needed later.

On its website, Chan-Riche’s insurer, nib, says that ‘‘everyone’s risk is shared’’ but I believe that a health system based on taxation is a much fairer way of sharing risk. Everyone contributes over their lifetime, whether healthy or ill, and people are not slapped with huge premiums as they age.

I believe it is far better to fight for a quality public health service than put money into the hands of private insurers. Helen Wilson, Wellington