B.M.A. PRESIDENT’S VIEW

Evening Star, Issue 24005, 2 October 1941, Page 5

B.M.A. PRESIDENT’S VIEW

HIGHER BRIBE ENTICEMENT BARTERING OF PEOPLE'S HEALTH (P.A.) HASTINGS, Oct. 1. in a statement this afternoon, Dr H. M. Wilson, president of the New Zealand branch of the 8.M.A., said:— “The Government is now satisfied that the public in this country will not tolerate the coercion of the medical profession, and so it has decided to offer higher bribes to entice the doctors into its web—that is a State medical monopoly. “ I would be failing in my duty if I did not protest with all ray might against this bartering of the health of the people. The profession hitherto has saved itself by its own exertions and constancy. It should now more than ever insist that there is only one solution (not bigger fees), and that solution is to leave the question to a well-chosen non-political body. The Government has shown by the frequent failure of its plans that it really does not understand the problem. It is approaching it too much from the political side at the expense of the medical. “ Surely it is now evident to the Government and to the public that this important problem cannot be settled by Father Christmas technique.” DOCTORS OUTLAWED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 1. Dr J. P. S. Jamieson, chairman of the Health Insurance Committee of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, to-night, commenting on the amendments to the Bill now before the House, said: — “ We understand that by the amendments to be proposed the fee for services has been raised by roughly 50 per cent, from that originally proposed in the Bill,” he said. “ That is not due to any suggestion whatever from the doctors. One can only conclude that this very substantial advance _has been put forward as a bribe. It is a bribe to the doctors to induce them to depart from the principles for which they have stood in order that the doctors’ services may be offered as a bribe to the electors.” The objectionable features of the Bill still remained. Dr Jamieson said. There was, so far as he knew, no arbitration. The Minister remained the sole judge, without the right of appeal, and the medical profession alone out of all the people was denied access to the courts. Why should the doctors be outlawed? he asked. Whose turn would it be next to be outlawed?