Ryan Bridge: We're not addressing the core issues of our health system

Health is one of those areas where you can churn through cash.  

It's expensive to visit your GP, but also expensive to fund. 

The amount taxpayers spend on health has gone up 100% over the past decade. It was around $15 billion in 2016, it's now up over $30 billion.  

The population has not increased by that much – only roughly 15%.  

But there are always better medicines to buy. Unions to settle pay negotiations with. New equipment to buy. Hospitals to replace.  

It's a money pit.  

Every election we get the same message, which is basically "let's put more money in the pit".  

And both Labour and National are saying they will do this. Hell, even ACT is saying the same.  

But are we missing a trick by always focussing on money in and patients out?  

Diabetes and obesity are massive problems for the health system. As is aging, though we can't do much about that.  

But where is the focus in this campaign, outside of New Zealand First's policy, on the food pyramid and keeping ourselves healthy and fit?  

You are what eat. That's not just an old saying, it's science.  

To his credit, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing this in the States. Why aren't we?  

If we want to keep the status quo and continue funding an ambulance at the bottom off the cliff then we're going the right way about it.