HOSPITAL FEES

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1931, Page 2

HOSPITAL FEES

SAFEGUARD FOR BOARDS. [per press association.] WELLINGTON, May 6. Combined action is likely to .be taken by the Counties’ Association, the Municipal Association, the Hospital Boards’ Association, and the Farmers’ Union, in pressing for legislation which will secure for hospital boards the right of a lien against any insurance monies payable in respect to accidents, where hospital fees are involved. A combined meeting of the four 1 bodies concerned is to be held at the end of the present month, when the attitude of the various sections of the community represented by these organisations will be fully discussed. At to-day’s meeting of the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, advice was received from the Hospital Boards’ Association that it would be glad of the co-operation of the Union in pressing for the necessary legislation. / “All will agree this question is most important,” said the President (Mr Polson). “It is quite evident that a great many able to pay their hospital fees do not'pay.” The Secretary (Colonel Pow) mentioned that a conference was to take place between the Counties’ Association, Municipal Association, and the Hospital Boards’ Association about the end of the present month. He thought the Union ought to be represented. A motion that representations should be made to the authorities urging that hospital dues be the first claim on insurance moneys, was carried. Mr Jackson, Mr H. B. Stuckey, of Dannevirke, and Mr Polson were appointed to represent the Union at the forthcoming conference.