CHALLENGE FOR DR JAMIESON

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 11

CHALLENGE FOR DR JAMIESON

Debate Suggested By Dr McMillan HEALTH INSURANCE AS SUBJECT

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 9. A statement was made today by Dr D. G. McMillan, M.P. for Dunedin West, in reply to a statement by Dr J. P. S. Jamieson, president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association. Dr McMillan says: “My attention has been drawn to a statement issued last week to the Press by Dr Jamieson, president of the British Medical Association (New Zealand branch). Dr Jamieson states that Sir Henry Brackenbury, who recently visited New Zealand, expressed opposition to a universal health insurance scheme. This may be so, but Sir Henry’s reasons, apart from those related to personal preferences arid advantages of medical practitioners, are by no means impressive. If Dr Jamieson had discussed health insurance with Sir Henry, as lie has, then he must know that Sir Henry believes: (1) That the question as to whether a scheme should be partial or universal is ‘not purely, perhaps not predominantly, a medical question. It is a question for the social reformer.’ (2) That there is no evidence to support the contention that a universal scheme will necessarily lower the standard of medical practice. (3) That health insurance in Great .Britain has raised the standard of practice in that country. (4) That the standard of practice inside the insurance scheme is, if anything, higher than that outside. “Dr Jamieson cannot get away from these facts. Further, Dr Jamieson says that the pamphlet, in which he stated that if the Government introduced a universal scheme all doctors would have to work it, was issued for private circulation among doctors. If this is so it is strange that the copy I quote from was given to me by a lay man who in turn had been presented with it by his doctor.

“Dr Jamieson says that we propose to socialize the medical profession. The relationship between the State and the doctor iri New Zealand will be the same as exists between the State and the insurance doctor in England, of which the British Ministry of Health says ‘The insurance practitioner is not a public official, although he discharges duties of great public importance, and is remunerated from public funds.’ “The cry of socialism has always been used to oppose worth-while reform. Dr Jamieson objects to my comparison of Great Britain with New Zealand. .The only point I made and one he cannot deny is that before the scheme was introduced the doctors of Great Britain conscientiously believed and stated that it would lower the standard of medical practice. Now they admit it has raised the standard of practice, and has been an undoubted success. We are entitled to assume that Dr Jamieson’s doubts and fears will' prove as groundless as did those of his fellow practitioners in England. “Dr Jamieson ends his statement with a personal reference to myself which I regret, as this argument is entirely one. of a conscientious difference of opinion on principles. My actions arise from an earnest desire to place before all sections of the community the full facts of the case for health insurance. “With the object of placing both sides of this question before the public and in view of Dr Jamieson’s statements, may I suggest to him that we debate ‘that the Government’s health insurance scheme is desirable, that it will improve the health of the people of New Zealand, and that it is preferable to the British Medical Association scheme, the affirmative to be taken by myself, the negative by Dr Jamieson, the debate to be preferably in the Wellington Town Hall or in the largest available hall in Nelson, the debate to be free of all cost to Dr Jamieson and that we ask the Government’s permission to have it broadcast.”