HOSPITAL RATING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20673, 11 March 1937, Page 8

HOSPITAL RATING

INCIDENCE OF COSTS REVIEW URGED The question of hospital rates was discussed at the Municipal Association Conference in Timaru yesterday. The matter was introduced under the following remit from Petone: “That in view of the extraordinary expenditure for improvements and extensions being contemplated by various Hospital Boards t further urgent representations be made to the Government to review the incidence of the costs of Hospital Board administration.” Mr A. Scholefield (Petone) said that the question of hospital rating had received the consideration of the executive but circumstances had since changed. The question of a national health scheme had been considered, and to this executive had committed itself. However, the heavy expenditure of hospital boards made it necessary to review the incidence of taxation. Generally the Go vernment found onethird of the money, the ratepayers onethird and fees one-third, but when one heard a statement from a particular district that a certain extension loan would be as great as x ’._e general rate, then it was clear that the incidence, of taxation should be revised. He contended that charitable aid and hospital expenditure should be borne by hospital taxation. Mr G. Dash said that no power on earth could prevent increasing hospital expenditure in this country. Solution of Problem The president (Mr T. Jordan, Masterton) said that a conference had been held at wihch the Association was represented, and it was unanimously agreed that the solution of the problem was a compulsory national health insurance scheme, based on voluntary contribution. It was for the Government tc measure up the tax bearing capacity of the country and he thought they would be cutting no ice by going on with the rem?,. However, he thought something should be done to improve the physical standing of the people, and this was due to lack of physical training. When this was done, there would be fewer calls on insurance companies. It was a disgrace that a country like this should have so many inefficients. It was a young country and it was going down hill. Mr C. Bailey (Auckland) said it was hoped that the national health scheme would be a compulsory one, and that it would be all-embracing. He was satisfied that the committee which was now sitting on the matter would be pleased to hear evidence from the Association.

Mr C. O. Morse (Napier) said that the matter was fully discussed at the Hospitals Conference, and they had deferred a decision pending the bringing down of the Health Insurance Scheme. So far they had not been privileged to submit evidence, but if the Association was permitted to do so. then they should get Mr E. A. Killick, of Timaru, a past officer of the Health Department, to assist the Association Mr Scholefield withdrew the remit.