THE MEDICAL SCHEME.

Evening Star, Issue 24006, 3 October 1941, Page 6

THE MEDICAL SCHEME.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l caii see by reports and cartoons appearing in the daily papers that the B.M.A. and its friends arc out to put a stop to the security scheme at all costs, and so it behoves everyone who has paid into it, has received, is receiving, or likely to receive benefits from it to tell the B.M.A. and its friends that the health of the people of New Zealand is of far more importance than the social prestige of a few. What are the objects of the Medical Bill? (1) To give everyone, man, woman, or child, the means of obtaining medical assistance at any time, irrespective of whether the person is in a position to pay for it or not. (2) To ensure that the doctors who give this service receive a reasonable remuneration for their services,- so that, when called upon, they will not have to worry whether they are going to be paid or not. Many a person leaves an ailment which should receive expert attention until it becomes serious before seeking assistance, because the doctor’s fee of 10s 6d is more than their limited income will permit, and many a person has left it too late altogether. If some of those people who sneer at the Bill were to see their loved ones sick and needing-attention and unable to give it to them without begging for charity from the doctor, they would very quickly change their views, and, after all, why should a doctor, any more than anyone else, have to give his services free? It is a state of affairs that is unfair both to the patient and the doctor, and only leads to the time when a big fee calls and the doctor needs the money and perhaps a more serious case may be neglected; for doctors are only human, and who are we to blame them? Of course, it will mean a lot more work for the doctors than before, because those who could not afford it before will be seeking medical attention, but there will also be the assurance that the doctor will be paid for his work. I know there are always those people who run to a doctor for every little thing, but there are pests like this in every walk of life, and sooner or later some remedy will be found to meet this type of person. In many districts in New Zealand there are no doctors at all, and I am sure this must cause quite a bit of trouble at times. This Bill would ensure that any doctor who went to such a district would receive adequate remuneration for his services; consequently it would mean an improvement in the health of the people of that district. The friendly societies made a success of a medical scheme, but they were careful to take on only the_ healthy people. Now the Government is taking on even those to whom the friendly societies refused assistance. I was very surprised to see that a clergyman was amongst those speaking against the scheme. Has he forgotten the first principle of Christianity, “ help one another”? There has been a lot of talk that the doctors would be overworked, hut I am afraid it is a case of the little boy at the Christmas party, “ not too much cake, but not enough boy,” and so we shall have to train more men to be . doctors and make the profession an easier one to get into for a man with brains and no money. The Plunket Society gives its services free, and anyone who knows what an enormous benefit this is to the parents of young children will readily see what ■an enormous help in times of difficulty the medical scheme will he to the people of New Zealand.—l am, etc., A Father. October 2.