ACC vs. MOH: This time it’s going to court
I’m sure many of you have a passionate stance on the whole ACC vs. MOH funding conundrum, and why those who can prove “medical misadventure” was the cause of their disability (or, ironically, those who got drunk, crashed their car, and are now wheelchair users) are entitled to so much more funding than those who are simply disabled by illness or birth condition. Why is the gap so vast when the only difference is how we got like this?
I, for one, am constantly frustrated by the fact that I only get $11,000 for the purchase of a vehicle, when my needs dictate a vehicle of much higher cost (i.e., wheelchair hoist, self-drive functions, etc) such as a KIA Independence, which are provided to those under ACC funding, no questions asked. Check out this table for further examples of the huge gap in funding provisions:
- Asset testing: ACC: None. MOH: Asset tested. Requires Community Services Card eligibility.
- Income: ACC: 80% of previous salary. MOH: Sickness benefit @ $144/week.
- Housing: ACC: Full modifications, including purpose-built house if necessary. MOH: Some modification provided, asset testing for modifications over $7,900.
- Vehicle: ACC: Vehicle supplied or existing one adapted. No price restriction. KIA Carnival ($110,000) given as standard to those who need a self-drive vehicle. MOH: Vehicle allowance to a maximum of $11,970, and must be in full-time work or education.
- ACC: Family members allowed to be paid to care for/support disabled person. MOH: No way!
– AND THE BIGGIE –
I’m sure this is nothing new to many of you. But for the first time ever, it’s being taken to court. Melanie Trevethick is taking this all the way to the High Court, and is being documented over at equity-for-illness.org.nz. Their (very worthy) aim is as follows:
Our aim is to see the Ministry of Health funding brought into line with current ACC entitlements: creating a non-discriminatory, needs-focused health delivery; regardless of the cause.
I think you should all head over to their site, read all about the issues and Melanie’s campaign, sign the petition, and let’s level the playing field once and for all!
Do you have a strong opinion on the massive funding gap between those under MOH / ACC funding? Let us know in the comments below!
this sucks big time. I have a neurological condition, it is deteriorating faster than I would like, I use a powerchair, and I got funding for that really easily as I work full time. However, transporting the chair is a different matter, I don’t qualify for a vehicle assistance as I work full time and earn to much. they may however pay for the crane to lift it in and out, we applied in November, and wouldn’t you know it, enable is out of funding, we are on a waiting list, apparently if you need anything the best time to apply is in June, just before the start of the financial year. we did have some ramps made but they are a two person job so I can’t use them to get the chair out. If I want to use my chair on the weekends I have to pray it is find on Monday and I drive it to work, takes over 30minutes across a few busy roads but at least it means I can use it at home.
The worst thing is, I don’t know how long I will be able to work full time and once I give up work, I will not qualify for assistance.
ACC clients have paid levies to recieve the assistance. Its a bit like insurance.
Thank you so much for your site. My son is 13 with CP. We live in the USA. I would like to know if there is a voice here in the USA. Keep up the great work you are a true inspiration. We have difficulties getting a bath chair. Our insurance claims it is a convinence item. He is 100 pounds and slippery when wet. Poses a danger to both. What happenes when his father’s back is completely out?
Hi Jolene,
That’s terrible that your insurance deems it a “convenience item”, it sounds like a total necessity for you and your husband! It is times like these I forget how lucky I am to live in New Zealand, where I can get items like shower/bath chairs funded at pretty much no cost.
I hope your insurance company sees some sense eventually
Red
We all pay ACC levies to cover accidents. The problem is that there is a completely inequitable system of funding. If the end result is that we are in a wheelchair then why does it matter how we got there? I didn’t do anything stupid or careless to end up in a power chair, I was born with a Neuromuscular condition for which there was no family history.
However I’m now treated like a second class citizen when it comes to accessing services and equipment. There are so many rules and regulations governing the funding I can receive and the reality is that the funding levels have been the same for 13 years.
Like Red, I can only receive $11,000 towards vehicle modifications yet someone on ACC can receive a $112,000 Kia Carnival self drive option. I work, I have two small children and I do a lot of community and voluntary work so do feel that I am making a positive contribution to society. All I need is a little bit more help to make this easier.
I look forward to seeing some publicity on Melanie’s case and some change which will see this become a fairer system based on need.
Well said Denise! I’m a Fieldworker in the Disability sector and I constantly see the inequity when it comes to funding between ACC and MOH clients.
I too will be following Melanie’s case closely and look forward to on overhaul of this outdated and discriminatory system!
I am in the very same position as Denise above having a progressive neuromuscular condition that means physical needs change therefore resources need to change and am sick of funding myself because it is just too hard to battle all the red tape or I don’t meet the criteria because “we earn too much” or “work too few hours”. We are damned if we do and damned if we don’t when it comes to contributing to society. I, like many others in this situation, just want to be independent and live my life which is hard to do in a country with terrible public transport systems and modified vehicles and homes and of course wheelchairs are hard to come if you are not on ACC. I have actually gone to the local paper and it is in the Manukau Courier this week – check out http://www.aucklandstuff.co.nz I just hope Melanie’s case and some publicity from the rest of us can make a difference!
Denise we all pay ACC levies but we do not pay a levy to cover non accident disabilities.
I find it hard to justify that ACC provide vehicles at a cost of $112,000 for some of their clients. There are cheaper alternatives.
I am a non-traumatic tetraphlegic which means MoH inequities apply to me. I was assessed as unsafe in my current vehicle. They said I need to drive the vehicle from my wheelchair so a Kia would work well for me. I dont give a sh*t what the cost is when it comes to my continued independence as a contributing member of society and ACC payer. We are all very PC when it comes to age, gender, culture etc but not on the radar when it comes to disability (MoH vs ACC). Just make it equitable! Dont tell any one but I’m still driving unsafely and embracing life. Who knows maybe I could end up with some ACC out of it!!!
I have a son with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy aged 14. He is totally dependent on others for his cares and is in an power wheelchair. We were turned down by Lotteries for funding for a van because my husband and I earn “too much money” so therefore would not be considered for funding even though the van would solely be used for Mitchell’s transportation. Mitchell also has two older siblings who are able to care for him while we take a break, but because they live at home they can’t be compensated for giving their weekend up to care for him. This really sucks!!! as there are not many respite care facilities in Auckland that we can use, despite ones that Mitchell would/could want to go to for a weekend.
Equality in funding for these types of situations would help us out immensely and probably also for others in the same situation.
Good luck with the case and I really hope that you can get the point across.
[...] Whatever the outcome, you’ve gotta admire Melanie Trevethick’s tenacity in taking the MOH vs. ACC battle to the High Court in Wellington. The court case is set down for today and [...]
[...] for the late notice folks, but for those of you interested in the ongoing ACC vs. MOH saga featuring Melanie Trevethick, this issue will be played out in a full debate tonight on TV [...]
Human rights tribunal case is starting on September the third in Auckland. It revolves around Family members being allowed to be paid to care for their special needs children or family members. We have waited 8 years to get this case to court. We are finally going to here the reasoning behind the discriminatory policy of the MOH.
There is no equality, we have a daughter with spina bifida & is permanently in a wheelchair. To give her independence we had to buy a disability van ourselves are being refused by the Lottery Board as ‘earning too much” How does that comaper to some criminals like Burton who, only has one leg is entitled to everything being under ACC, I know it now exceeds the million mark in medical costs alone.
After her operation in October we will have to go through the process again as she will be too tall for the current van once her back is straightened,. In summary, I agree with you all & give my support!
I know it is not my place on this website, although i do feel for these people in need.The funding system here is so backward, its like third world sometimes.
I have previously worked in Australia building Wheelchair accessible vehicles and I know the funding process is much fairer there.Accessment is more accurate for the personal needs of the person.
Anyway I am now building a cheaper alternative to the ACC cars coming from Italy ( only availible to those with ACC funding) here in NZ. I hope to find solutions for those who need it most!