Minister hints at benefit change

Press, 29 September 1979, Page 7

Minister hints at benefit change

PA Wellington Doctors might be able to charge pregnant women part of tneir visiting charges next vear. Some doctors said earlier this month that the maternity

benefit was not cohering tb costs of visits and a parkcharge was needed This prompted the Minister of Health (Mr Gair) to say there was no question of women having to pay preg nancy-related charges to doc

But Mr Gair has hmtec. that he might change hi: mind.

"My initial feelings havs been aganst such a proposal.' he told the Hawke’s Bay di I vision of the Medical Associ ation.

I The introduction of any I part-charge would need an amendment to the Social Security Act. "As yet 1 am not convinced a change to the act is wan ranted,” he said. "Nevertheless, I am prepared to consider any proposal put be fore me which tries to hold costs without materially affecting a patient’s fundamental right to medical treatment.”

The Maternity Benefits Negotiating Committee, which sets the level of the benefit jin consultation with doctor: w'ould meet on November 21 to resume negotiations on the 'benefits. Any proposal arising out of that committee would hr considered as part of th» Government's new- poln proposals for the 1980-81 f • nancial year. Mr Gair said