HEALTH SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1937, Page 10

HEALTH SCHEME

VIEWS OF DOCTORS

A MODIFIED PROPOSAL

Though they considered that adequate provision for a full health service should be made available to those not able to make financial provision for it themselves, members of the national health insurance committee of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association at a meeting yesterday favoured the view that any scheme embracing a large section of the community was neither necessary nor desirable. In making this known after the meeting, the president of the conference (Dr. T. D. M. Stout) said that they would act in the fullest collaboration with the Government in its efforts to provide this service. A report was submitted to the.meeting by the chairman, Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson, and adopted. Proceedings were in camera, and after the meeting the following extract of the report was released for publication:—

"By all means let the State ensure that no necessary medical service shall be unattainable by anyone from reason of lack of ability to pay for it: and by all means let the heavier costs be so spread that no one will be crippled financially by major calamities of sickness; but leave to those who can meet their own costs the responsibility of meeting their needs in their own way to their own satisfaction; and let the State concern itself more particularly in building a healthy, virile race, which cannot be done by running to the doctor and leaning on the State but by education, disease prevention, and encouragement of self-reliance. "Having obtained the feeling of the profession and. having answered the Government's questionnaire, oral evidence was put before the Government's investigation committee. The record of proceedings is not available for publication, but it may be stated, we were informed, that the Governmen has not as yet any definitely-formed plan, looks to the profession for assistance, and will afford further opportunity for discussion.. The Government, we were told, does not contemplate any scheme which will react detrimentally on the profession, either as regards its earnings or its professional standards.