No charge for cervical smear

Press, 12 September 1986, Page 8

No charge for cervical smear

PA Wellington Proposals to charge for cervical smear tests have been withdrawn, said the Minister of Health, Dr Bassett In a letter to the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Mrs Hercus, Dr Bassett said the proposal, of charging $l5 a test to boost the income of private pathologists, was merely an option which had been explored during negotiations with the Government over fees for services. “It is unfortunate that the issue of charging for cervical smear ever released to ’ the

media. I have recently been advised that the matter was never intended to be made public,” he said. He would continue to support private pathologists whom he believed to be responsible practitioners concerned for the welfare of their patients. He also said the Health Benefits Review Team, which is reviewing all health benefits, including laboratory benefits, would report soon. Consideration would then be given to setting up a working party to review laboratory benefits and negotiating procedures.