HEALTH AND PENSIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23097, 23 July 1938, Page 15

HEALTH AND PENSIONS

approval of committee everyone must contribute free hospital treatment The Government's proposals for a national contributory Scheme of health services, superannuation and social security benefits are completely approved, with some suggestions on matters of detail, by, the Parliamentary select committee set up to consider the scheme. The committee presented its report to Parliament yesterday. There was no minority report, provision not having been made for one. The committee recommends: That no special treatment in regard to contributions or benefits be accorded to contributors to State and ether superannuation funds. This means that everyone must contribute on the same scale. Immediately the scheme has been instituted it is suggested that the Government should consider its extension to provide a gradual increase in allowable income until universal superannuation is realised. The committee makes a detailed reply to the arguments of the British Medical Association against the proposed free "general practitioner" service and rejects the plan put forward in its place. " The medical scheme," it states, " should develop along the lines of our education system—be freely available to all, whatever their rank, station or income. If there are people in the community who prefer to make other arrangements for themselves—as there are in the educational world—they are entirely free to do so." Other health proposals are: That for free hospital and sanatorium treatment a uniform pa3'ment be made to hospital boards of 6s daily for each occupied bed; that specialist and consultant services be developed as soon as possible, and that hospital facilities be used in the meantime; that a free combined home nursing and domestic help service be instituted. It is recommended that contributions and benefits commence on April 1, 1939, and that a Social Security Department be set up for the non-technical administration of the benefits. The committee unreservedly approves the financial basis of the scheme, and considers that the growth of production will keep it within the means of the Dominion.