COLLECTION OF HOSPITAL FEES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 October 1934, Page 8

COLLECTION OF HOSPITAL FEES.

IS THE PRESENT METHOD SATISFACTORY. POSITION PELT KEENLY BY COUNTY COUNCIL. A copy of a summary of tlie audited income and expenditure of the Palmerston North Hospital Board for the year ended March 31st, 1934, was received .by the members of the ilorowhenua County Council at the monthly meeting on Saturday. The figures showed that during the year under review, the sum of f44,0()4, representing uncollected hospital, fees, had been written off the books, it was seen that only between 40 and 48 per cent, of the total fees were collected and some memibers considered that this would tend to increase the Hospital Board rates.

Hr. A. J. Gim'blett asked if satisfactory steps were being taken to recover fees from those patients who could reasonably be expected to pay. As three memibers of the Palmerston North llcapital Board were also members of the Council, he would like to 'know if they were satisfied. He realised that in a great number of cases it was impossible to collect fees. Ho thought that members of the Council could express their opinion.

Or. C. P. Jenson said that he felt the same. On considering the rate notices there was an alarming increase and a constant increase. The problem was where this increase would end. He would like to make the same enquiry of members of the Hoard. He would like to know if it were possible to relieve this 'burden in any way. lie understood that the fees paid by country residents and the fees' paid 'by city residents differed and questioned if there was any explanation for this. (Jr. Ryder, speaking as a member of the Hoard, stated that as far as ho, personally, was concerned, every opportunity of collecting fees from the patients of his district was taken. Jf the account was impossible to collect then it. was (better written off than wasting postage and stationery, as well as time, in endeavouring to recover it. Or. Cfimblett asked if the members thought the low number of accounts paid was leading up to free hospital treatment.

The Chairman, a Hoard member, stated that the question of the 'collection of fees was one that had worried all Hospital Boards and this had been accentuated during the depression period, during which time there had been more sickness than previously. People must have Hospital treatment, if it was necessary, even though they could not pay for it. The Board could not, for instance, ask a. relief worker to pay Ills fees and had accordingly adopted the stand of writing off such accounts. More town accounts remained unpaid than country accounts, but this was because relief workers were mainly living in towns in order to get sustenance. Patients who-owned a home or farm were pressed for payment of their accounts. The rates had increased, but it ‘was to be remembered that in .1931 there was a considerable decrease made in the demand on local bodies. The rate ivni-s a moving charge reckoned on valuation. In the city there were revaluations and if they are getting the benefit, which was frankly to be admitted, then the . country residents should be thankful that they did not need the Hospital as much as those I living in 'the city. The County Councils had striven over a Jong period to have the method of rate levying altered to one based half on capital value and half on population. His idea was that the - only other way to .raise the money was to have a special tax, like that on benzine, and that levied on tea, sugar and the like. Members of the Hospital Board had been referred to as farmer’s, the inference being that they did not possess the ability to think, but the Board members were direct representatives of the different local bodies, and all took as keen an interest as it was possible, to keep the estimates within reason. In fact, just as much as if they were framed by the gentlemen of this meeting, it had to be borne in mind that the efficiency of the Hospital must be maintained and lie felt the meeting would endorse this. The last framing of estimates developed into a straggle between the country members and the town members. The speaker said that lie wanted the rural authorities to know that the members bad in mind all the time the creation of savings without undermining the efficiency of the institution. He said that he was very interested in the work and considered it one of the finest local body works that anyone could do. AH members were keen and enthusiastic on the work. Last year the amount of the fees collected were higher than the previous year and the prospects were brighter again this year. Certainly the fees had been increased from 9s to 12s per day. Cr. Gimlblett considered that the strength of the criticism of the Board •members seemed as if those critics thought they could do better themselves. Was the present trend of things leading up to free treatment?

The Chainhan stated that this was not so at present. Cr. Gimblett said (that there was a danger of some looking on the Hospital as a charitable institution and foes did not have to be paid. Was the method of collecting fees the correct one. If free treatment came, what would be the amount of hospital rates. The Chairman stated that he had gone- to people, whom he knew were able to pay, and told them that if a settlement 'was not made a summons would be issued. He had even recom-