National Party Out To Extend Social Security

Northern Advocate, 24 August 1943, Page 4

National Party Out To Extend Social Security

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Continuing the debate on the second reading of the Social Security Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday, the Minister for Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) announced that, in the committee stages, it was proposed to bring down an amendment to abolish the 20-mile limit in respect of attendance of doctor, both under the capitation scheme and fee for service scheme. Previously a patient was required to pay at the rate of 2/G per mile for every mile above 20 a doctor was required to travel to attend him. but this extra charge would new be done away with. The Minister also outlined the responsibilities of hospital boards and local authorities in respect of the increase from 6/- to 9/- a day for inpatients in hospitals. Owing to the increased payment, said Mr. Nordmeyer, where hospital boards had received amounts in excess of these they anticipated and they had sent out their demands to local authorities before alteration in the allowance, they were now required to amend their demands on local authorities who, in turn, were required to refund to ratepayers or to credit to their accounts such amendment as might be due in consideration of the increased revenue boards had received. and (would receive throughout the year. Part of Our System Denying statements that the National Party would destroy Social Security, Mr. Holland said that Social Security had become part of our system and he had no desire to deny the Government any credit it was entitled to for extending the social services. “Not only will the National Party not cut Social Security if it comes into power, but it will also extend it and I hope before long to see dental benefits included in the Social Secruity Scheme." Mr. Holland added that the National Party would like to put into operation a scheme to prevent sickness and disease and remove causes of want. They wanted their success measured not in the number of people who were given medical, hospital and monetary benefits, but in the number of well people and the number of those who had an income big enough to free them from the need of State assistance. Mr. Holland said that the National Party supported the Bill. Reciprocity With Australia Tile debate was emitiuued mi the second reading- after (lie supper adjo'-n----inent, both Opposition and Government speakers stressing (lie value of Social Security and expressing the opinion that it bad become an essential part of the Dominion's everyday life. The second reading was carried at 11 pan., alter the Minister for Social Sorrily (Mr. Dairy) had replied briefly. Mr. Parry then moved (lie second reading of (he Age i’.enelits and Invalids' Benefits (lleeiprocitv with Australia) Bill. Mr. Holland said that the Opposition fully concurred with the sentiments expressed in the measure and would be only too pleased to assist the Government' in placing it on (lie Statute Book. The Minister for Riiiance (Mr. Nash) said lie hoped that, in the near future, it would be possible to secure a like agreement with the I'nited Kingdom. The second reading was passed.