Accident-related care is funded through a governmentowned
separate insurance agency [known as the Accident
Compensation Corporation (ACC)]. New Zealanders can
also purchase private health insurance—to get faster access
to elective services, cover user charges, and access better
facilities (e.g., single hospital rooms). All privately funded
hospital care is delivered in privately owned hospitals.
The New Zealand health system is seen as performing
reasonably well, given that it provides universal coverage,
high levels of access to a comprehensive range of services,
high quality care, overall high levels of health status, and
generally good value for money [6]. Key, on-going concerns
about the New Zealand health system, however,