Medicine insurance

Press, 11 October 1982, Page 20

Medicine insurance

Sir.—The rising cost of visits to a doctor is the main reason behind recent growth in private medical insurance, according to the chief executive of the Southern Cross Medical Care Society (“The Press,” October 4). He considers this development is not an indictment of Government policy, but “a growing trend for New Zealanders to assume more responsibility for the health care of themselves and their families.” All taxpayers by contributing to health care are taking responsibility not only for themselves and their families but for the wider community. The rising cost is the doctor’s fee (related to expenses above the medical benefit which has not risen). All “pay twice” (C. A. Wilkinson’s letter, October 6) but some assume that they will pay less by buying insurance. Tnis is clearly not the same as taking

“more responsibility” and it is in fact an indictment of Government policy. In a humane society standards of health are a shared concern. — Yours, etc..

J. MURRAY. October 8, 1982.