The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, September 8, 1938. SCOPE OF HEALTH SERVICE.

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1938, Page 6

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, September 8, 1938. SCOPE OF HEALTH SERVICE.

If there is any warranty for the B.M.A. claim that only the poorer section of the community should benefit, that warranty certainly has not been demonstrated in Parliament during, discussions in committee on the Social Security Bill. The National Party has not been consistent in. its criticism of the general application of the scheme. It has complained that the well-to-do ought not to he taxed for service provided, as they do not need it, and will not use it. This assertion is only an assumption. It has nowhere been shown that a medical service has been refused or ignored by the people for whom it is available. One reason why it • has been proposed in New Zealand is the fact that so many people have, for reasons . of economy, neglected to obtain medical attention when they really have needed it because no such service has existed as that now to be provided. The standard of health has consequently been • lowered. The National Party have been urging that the . Government should bow to the B.M.A. and drop as much of . the Social Security Bill as that organisation dislikes. A question was put straight last evening, to the Opposition as to what line of division they would adopt in excluding people from the health benefits; There was, however, no answer to show if they and the B.M.A. want a : means test instituted, and _what income, they, would fix as disqualifying a person? The?'National Party are really thinking less of the public health than of the contribution to the scheme when they, ask that the more wealthy element shall be left out. They desire fbr that element exclusion not merely from the 'operation of - the scheme, but from any obligation of contributing towards the scheme. Another question was asked during the discussion which’ also went unanswered. The B.M.A. contention that what would do quite well for one section, in the way of medical service, under the scheme, would never do at all for another section, prompted this query. It is as to whether the medical fraternity propose to have one standard of efficiency for those they consider should come under the scheme, and some other standard for those whom they desire to have excluded. The relation bm tween doctor and patient, it : is said, would deteriorate should all come under th'e service, but not if those best able to pay are kept out. Does it mean that the service is proportionate to the fe'e? Even so, the Government is determined that medical service shall be b'etter remunerated, and that doctors shall be surer of their payment for the future than they have in general been in the past. If, therefore, the B.M.A. has a fear quite separate from this aspect, it surely was the duty of the National Party, as opponents of the Bill, to explain the reason. They did not even hint that it was a matter of . social status, but, like the medical fraternity, have been content to leave the thing a matter of conjecture. The Government is entitled to claim that comparisons between its. plans and the schemes elsewhere, either in operation or in prospect, are in favour, of the Bill. In Britain the. scheme is limited in the way desired by the 8.M.A., and if it is a fact that service there is better for the wealthier element, because they are outside of the scheme, it stands to reason that an improvement is required in the scheme itself. This might he expected to accrue were its scope widened. New Zealand is the first country to propose a universal service, and the probability is that its very universality will render it far more efficient than, the schemes elsewhere of a limited character. For one thing, there will be every inducement to afford all the'same standard, of service, instead of perpetuating any discrimination between those who arc well off and those who are not. Suffice, as contributors, all and sundry will take the fullest advantage of .the service. There also should he greater cooperation among the medical profession, and less temptation to exploit particular aptitudes for purely individual profit. Finally, the standard of public health calls for greater co-ordination fthan hitherto in the medical service,

in order that its advantages, may be shared .more, .universally, than they are at’the.present,time. Any. ■people whose wealth prompts the anticipation that they ■ can* do without the benefits offered are not to be compelled to accept those benefits. They still may please themselves, and pay whatever fees, they wish for whateverservice they want. The only obligation they will have in the matter is merely that/ of contributing like anybody else.