THE HEALTH SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23591, 30 August 1938, Page 12

THE HEALTH SCHEME

ALLOWANCE TO HOSPITALS AMOUNT DEEMED INADEQUATE LITTLE TAXATION RELIEF EXPECTED (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Aug. 29. Fears that there would be little ; or no alleviation of the present burden of hospital taxation, and the opinion that the proposed grant of 6s per patient from the special State fund would be inadeauate to meet the costs of treatment were expressed at a special meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board to-night, when the effects of the Social Security Bill were considered. Although unanimous in advocating the necessity for an increased per capita allowance, members differed in their views as to the measure of hospital treatment that would be required following the introduction of the icheme. The chairman, Mr Allan J. Moody said the scheme was now in the hands of the Minister and his departmental officers, and it would perhaps be unwise to hamper their task at this particular stage. There was no doubt, hov/ever, that the Bill would require careful consideration by the legislature The measure possessed a very wide aspect so far as the hospital boards were concerned in view of many benefits which they would be required t'» perform. Advice from the Hospital Boards’ Association was that its executive would keep in close touch with the position, and that a conference of boards would be called at a later stage when the Government’s proposals were advanced. a A motion was carried unanimously stating that the proposed allowance of 6s was considered inadequate to meet the cost oer patient and requesting the Minister to consider favourablv a substantia] increase m the amount.