HEALTH INSURANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23213, 10 June 1937, Page 10

HEALTH INSURANCE

REPORT NOT YET CONSIDERED STATEMENT BY DR D. G. M'MILLAN Questioned yesterday morning in regard to the recent announcements concerning the Government's health insurance scheme, Dr D. G.M'Millan, M.P., chairman of the special committee set up to consider the question, made the following statement:— " Although the Government's National . Health Insurance Committee has been working upon the question of a national health service in New Zealand during the last 12 months, its report has not yet been considered by either Cabinet or the Government Party, and until such time as that is done no authoritative statement can be made. " Those responsible for the finance of the scheme will be interested in the statement madq on behalf of the medical profession, that they consider a capitation fee of £ 1 to be 50 per cent, too high. During the last few months one has met practically all the doctors in the North Island and a large proportion of those in the South Island, and everywhere one has found them open-minded, ready to discuss local and general problems, and very sympathetic towards the principles of health insurance. " Doubtless, the sound common sense of the majority of members of the profession will cause them to delay criticism of the Government's proposals until such time as they know what those proposals are."