MATERNITY BENEFIT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 37, 12 August 1939, Page 8

MATERNITY BENEFIT

FRESH PROPOSALS

B.M.A. ANNOUNCEMENT

An announcement that fresh maternity benefit proposals had been formulated by the medical profession and that these are being submitted to the Government was made yesterday by Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson, the chairman of the National Health Insurance Committee of the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association.

Dr. Jamieson emphasised that, though further proposals had been put forward they relate only to the maternity benefit, and there is no question of any change of attitude on the part of the medical profession towards other medical benefits.

Medical services for the maternity benefit were virtually non-operative in most parts, as the vast majority of the profession would not accept the contract, said Dr. Jamieson. The association, however, was unwilling that the public should be unable to avail themselves of that benefit, and to overcome the difficulty had formulated fresh proposals. These were at present being submitted to the Government.

"The proposals of the association," added Dr. Jamieson, "involve amendments to the Social Security Act, and, if accepted by the Government, necessarily require further discussion and consultation. It must be understood that these proposals relate only to the maternity benefit; and the fact that they have been put forward implies neither acceptance of the Government's scheme nor any change of attitude on the part of the profession towards the other medical benefits.

"Further statements for the information of the public will be made as may be necessary."