Monday October 9, 2006
 
Immigration and health services must do more to prevent ineligible foreigners ripping off the public health system. 

Some improvements have been made however more was needed although it was hard for hospital staff to confront patients. 

Improved links with Immigration have made INZ aware that there is a consequence of having applications processed overseas.

Auckland's three health boards had non-resident bad debts totalling more than $5 million in the last financial year, but requiring new patients to prove eligibility is shrinking the problem significantly.