HEALTH INSURANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 13

HEALTH INSURANCE

MORE INFORMATION NEEDED VIEW OF COUNTIES' CHAIRMAN [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN* CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Thursday That legislation for the establishment of a national health insurance scheme should not be introduced until more complete information is available, was the opinion expressed by the president of the New Zealand Counties' Association, Mr. C. J. Talbot, Fairlie, in his address to the biennial conference of that body at Wellington yesterday. " The incidence of hospital rating has been a burning question among county councils during the past two decades, as it has been felt that rural ratepayers have been paying more than their share of hospital rates, without receiving an equivalent in benefits," Sir. Talbot said. " Recent investigations made by the association have shown that the allocation of the hospital levy on capital value and population combined would not give the relief expected to rural ratepayers. " It seems to be the duty of a modern State, as guardian of public health and national prosperity, to inaugurate a national health scheme. As only 21 per cent of those assisted in our hospitals pay their fees, modern opinion supports the principle of some compulsory sickness and hospital scheme. " A meeting of delegates from the Municipal Association, the Hospitals' Association and the Counties' Association, was held to discuss hospital rating, and the following decisions were made: (a) That the Government be urged to promote a compulsory national health scheme for medical, dental and hospital treatment, (b) That the financing of such *a scheme be met by compulsory contributions from employers and emplovees, subsidised by the Government, and that provision be'made for the inclusion of workers on their own account, for example, farmers and small business men. "Although these decisions were made in the absence of any tentative scheme from tho Government, it was felt that they were sound."