HEALTH INSURANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 10

HEALTH INSURANCE

BRITISH AUTHORITY

SIR HENRY BRACKENBURY

ARRIVES

(By Telegraph—l'resa ' Association.)

AUCKLAND, September 3,

A noted British authority on the medical aspect of national health insurance, Sir Henry Britten Brackenbury, arrived at Auckland by the Mariposa. Sir Henry, who is accompanied by Lady Brackenbury, is visiting, the Dominion at the request of the NewZealand branch of the British Medical] Association to assist in the preparation j of a satisfactory scheme of insurance for this country.

Active in medical educational and 1 local body work for over 40 years, Sir Henry has in recent years published numerous articles on social insurance, mental deficiency, and educational and public health administration. He is vice-president and was formerly chairman of the council of the! British Medical Association and is also chairman of the council of the Institute of Medical Psychology, vice-president of the Central Association for : Mental Welfare, a member of the General Medical Council, and a member of the advisory committee to the Ministry of Health.

While explaining that he was unable at the present stage to make any specific recommendations, for a scheme in New Zealand, Sir Henry outlined methods of health insurance in England. In Britain, he declared, the scheme had proved a pronounced success. This result had not been achieved immediately after its introduction, but it had been brought into good working condition as a result of, negotiations between'the medical profession and the authorities. ■ . "If health insurance proposals in New Zealand are to be a success it seems to me that there must be two essential conditions," Sir Henry continued. "The English scheme is compulsory and contributory for wageearners, but it is not general in its scope. It applies only to those who are receiving less than a specified income and, though I have no definite advice, it would appear that the New Zealand Government has not included this provision. Any general system would prove frightfully expensive to taxpayers and would be broader than is necessary." THE ENGLISH SCHEME. When statements to the effect that the panel system of insurance had met with universal objection from both laymen and practitioners were referred to Sir Henry, he said the contention was false. He would say that there had been effects exactly the opposite, and he believed there would be a tremendous outcry from the profession and from4he public if there were any suggestion of repeal. The broad principles on wmen tne English scheme was applied were outlined by Sir Henry. He explained that each man eligible under the scheme received a medical card from local insurance committees and this could be presented to any doctor when he was in need of treatment. There was complete freedom of choice in selecting a general practitioner who, if he accepted the patient, signed the card and save the required treatment free ft charge. Specialised treatment was beyond the scheme, but in such cases the general practitioner would carry out the diagnosis and help the patient to obtain the attention that was required. Sir Henry, who intends to spend about six weeks in New Zealand, will discuss the insurance Proposals with the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, with the object of assisting the Government in the formulation of proposals. On _ arrival at Auckland Sir Henry and Lady Brackenbury were met by Dr. Lawrence Ludbrook/president of the Auckland division of the New Zealand branch of the association/.