EPIDEMIC EXPENDITURE

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14088, 18 June 1919, Page 6

EPIDEMIC EXPENDITURE

''During tho recent epidemic there was a feeling abroad that because the Government was undertaking tho financial bur.U'ii of the epidemic the t. eatment \\.:s to be given tree," stati s an article on "The Keonomic Administration of Epidemic Expenditure," in the Mite number of the "Public Health Journal.' Thi.-, is entirely a mistaken idea. Persons aU" to pay for treatment should do m>. li' treated bv a private practitioner, either in their own homes or in a private hospital, they should pay the usual fees for treatment. Where the block system is instituted in regard to medical attendance, then the Hospital Hoards will doubtless find it better to agree to pay to the medical men such amount as will entirely cover their work, the medical men to supply a list of patients treated to the Board, who will endeavour t„i collect fees for attendance from the patients themselves. Patients treated in public or private hospitals should endeavour to pay for treatment as they would under normal conditions. All steps should he taken by the Board to lessen the burden upon the public funds by obtaining recoveries for services rendered by the organisations set up."