Labour is promising to make maternity scans free under its proposed Medicard scheme, saying pregnant women should not have to worry about the cost of essential care.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said free maternity scans would be added to the Medicard alongside three free doctor visits a year.

“Women and their families shouldn’t have to worry about money when it comes to making sure they and their babies are okay,” Hipkins said.

“For many families, pregnancy comes with enough costs and stress already. A Labour Government will ease that pressure by making the scans they need free.

“Right now, what you pay for a maternity scan can cost up to $90 depending on where you live. Under Labour, free will mean free, everywhere,” Hipkins said.

Labour health spokeswoman Dr Ayesha Verrall said no pregnant woman should be forced to skip a scan because of cost.

“No one should have to skip a scan because they can’t afford it. Scans pick up issues early, help families prepare for birth, and save lives,” Verrall said.

Free maternity scans would be added to a patient’s Medicard after a referral from a health practitioner.

The party said it would fund every scan a doctor or midwife considered medically necessary, so women with complicated pregnancies would not miss out.

Verrall said Labour would also invest in 24 additional paid trainee sonographer positions at Health New Zealand to help build the workforce needed to deliver pregnancy scans and meet future demand.

“National has made it harder and more expensive to get healthcare when and where it is needed. Christopher Luxon’s cuts to our health system mean health costs are rising, and he has no plan to fix it.

“Labour does. We are building a health system that helps people stay well, not just treat illness.

“The Medicard will give every New Zealander three free doctor’s visits a year and free cervical screening. Now we’re adding free pregnancy scans, helping with the cost of living at one of the most expensive, but also most exciting, times in a family’s life,” Verrall said.

Labour said free maternity scans would cost $28.6 million a year and would be funded from revenue raised by its proposed capital gains tax.

The party said the additional trainee sonographer positions would cost $3 million a year, funded from Health New Zealand baselines.