HOSPITAL ANOMALY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23431, 22 August 1939, Page 12

HOSPITAL ANOMALY

RECOVERY OF FEES PATIENT FROM OUTSIDE POSITION BETWEEN BOARDS [by TKLKGIIAPH —OWN CORIU:sPOXI>EXT] NEW PLYMOUTH. Monday The prevention of hoards recovering from patients treated in other hospital districts the amount ot fees in excess of the social security henelit, as provided by section 92 of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, was objected to at a meeting of the Ha worn Hospital Hoard to-day. Under existing legislation hospital boards are liable for the difference between 6s a dav paid out of the Social Security Fund and the amount previously charged bv the hospital at which the patient is treated. Although another board mav claim against the Hawera. Hospital Hoard for the balance owing by a patient from the Hawera district tiie latter board has 110 redress against the patient. The Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, advised that the department had received several inquiries whether in cases to winch section 92 of the Hospitals and Charitable institutions Act applied the patient was liable to the hospital board of his district for payment of the balance of fees in excess of the amount of the hospital benefits receivable under the Social Security Act. Hoards were notified that a board liable tinder section 92 of the. Act or under an agreement entered into between hospital hoards was not entitled to recover from the patient. Mr. T. A. Winks: 1 think a strong protest should be entered. It is obviously unfair that ratepayers should stand the racket for those who can pay, but will not until they are made to "It places the social security scheme in a false position as far as the hoard is concerned." said the chairman. ]\li. A. L. Campbell. "The Government is getting the credit of giving free hospital treatment, but the ratepayers pay very heavily' toward it. Ihe ratepayers (io not know what they aic paying."