HEALTH INSURANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 93, 19 March 1936, Page 2

HEALTH INSURANCE

GENERAL APPROVAL GIVEN. ' BY HOROWHENUA COUNCIL. Following a brief discussion, the Horowhenua ' County Council, at its monthly meeting yesterday, approved unanimously of a proposal for a compulsory national health insurance scheme to apply to medical, dental and hospital treatment. It was emphasised, that approval could be given only to the broad aspect of the scheme, the consideration of details having to be lfeft till a later date. ■ The New Zealand Counties’ Association wrote asking for the opinions of the council regarding such a scheme. At a recent conference of the Municipal Association, the New Zealand Hospital Boards’ Association and the New 'Zealand Counties’ Association, the letter stated, it had been decided to urge the Government to promote such a scheme for medical, dental and hospital treatment, the finance to be secured by compulsory ' contributions from employers and employees, subsidised by the Government, provision being macle for workers on their own account, such as farmers and small businessmen. .. The chairman (Cr. G. A. Monk) said he had been present at the conference, but it was his opinion that it had somewhat failed in its purpose, as uhat had been concerning the counties particularly had been the method of taxation. . The burden of the upkeep of hospitals was becoming heavier. ret there would be people who could no enter such a scheme, for reasons which he need not mention, and who would still be a charge on the hospitals. While the scheme might go some uistance in relieving the rating through a capital levy, it would not go the whole way. It should be remembered that the scheme was part of the policy of the present Government. Cr C P. Jensen suggested that the council might await developments on the part of the Government. As the matter was to-day people were asked to pay for hospital treatment when they had been ill, which was the time when they could least afford it. , The chairman said the Counties Association was anxious to assemble the views of the counties as to whether they were in favour of the scheme or not. The details would have to be left until later. , Cr. L. H. Best moved that the council approve of the scheme in general, the motion being seconded by Cm. Jensen. , . Cr. Best said the chairman was intimately acquainted with the matter and the subject could well be left to him to watch. . ~ , The school .dental service should also come under the scheme suggested Cr A. J. Gimblett. lie fu% supported the proposal. . . The motion was carried unanimouslyThe Manawatu County Council forwarded a letter stating that the following motion had been passed by 1 ■ “That a circular letter be forwarded to contributing local bodies in the Palmerston NortU Hospital distuct, suggesting that a concerted move be made for the inauguration of State lotteries for hospital purposes throughout New Zealand.” The council had in mind, stated the letter a recent statement emanating from the Palmerston North Hospital Board to the effect that a sum of £IOO.OOO was required to bring that institution up to pre-sent-day requirements. _ Funds for hospital purposes ’ were being raised m other countries be means of art unions, lotteries and the like, and large sums were going out of New Zealand annually to them. The letter was received, no action being taken.