HOSPITAL SYSTEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 226, 23 September 1936, Page 12

HOSPITAL SYSTEMS.

: DOMINION FORTUNATE. EQUITABLE SHARING OF COST. . Regret, that he could not agree,-,with the suggestion that ratepayers should be relieved of their fair share' of hospital costs was expressed by the Minister of Health, the Eraser, in a letter forwarded to Mr. A.' S. Richards, M.P. for Eoskill, and read at last night's meeting of the Mount Albert Borough Council. " The letter was a reply to a request forwarded by the • council in July asking that there should be an early review of hospital administration in the direction of relieving the ratepayers ot part or all the contributions now made towards hospital board expenditure. In his reply the Minister said the Government was desirous that there should be an equitable sharing of the cost of hospitals and charitable aid as between contributions from local rates and contributions from general taxes. Careful regard had to be paid to the division of administrative responsibility and control in connection with hospitals arid allied services. It had also to be recognised that the apportionment of contributions "in respect of the services had to be considered in relation to the demands made on rates and taxes respectively in connection with, other services.

Several measures,"stated the Minister, already or' 'Shortly to be inaugurated, would,undoubtedly have the direct effect of relieving local rates and of increasing the charges upon the Consolidated Fund in respect of social services. For illustration he mentioned the extension of the pensions benefits, including alterations in the rates and qualifying conditions of old .age, widows; miners and. war pensions, and . the introduction of pensions for invalids. The national health insurance proposals were regarded as having a definite bearing on the question of both local body and Government contributions for hospital purposes. I The letter was. received. -