MEDICAL HARDSHIPS

Grey River Argus, 27 July 1925, Page 7

MEDICAL HARDSHIPS

OF CLD AGE TENSIONERS. WELLINGTON, July 24. The Hospital Board yesterday discussed the payment of fees by old age pensioners. Mr E. Vine stated that when old age pensioners received treatment, the pensions v. ere confiscated by local authorities. No class of community was less able to pay thau this, and he moved the Board take the matter into consideration. The Secretary said that he was compelled by law to collect pensions. Any pens'! ner who did not remain in the hospital a whole month received the pension back for all of the period. Rev. J. Lochore pointed out the hardship that might arise where a man with a pension was in hospital leaving a wife outside, v.ho had no pension. Mr K Winley said it was altogether over the odds that a pensioner should be compelled tn pay for treatment. The matter was referred to a committee,