HOSPITAL FEES

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 20889, 22 August 1939, Page 9

HOSPITAL FEES

I RECOVERY OF EXCESS PATIENTS TREATED ELSEWHERE ) (Special to Times) NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday The prevention of boards recovering from patients treated in other hospital districts the amount of fees in excess of the social security benefit, as provided by section 02 of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, j was objected to at a meeting of the Ilawera Hospital Hoard 10-day. Under . existing legislation hospital hoards arc liable for the difference between Os a day paid out of the Social Security Fund and the amount previously charged by the hospital at which the patient is treated. Although another hoard may claim against the Ilawera ; Hospital Board for the balance owing : by a patient from the Ilawera district the latter hoard has no redress against the patient. Official Advice The Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, advised that the department had received several inquiries whether in cases to which section 92 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act applied the patient was liable to the hospital board of his district for payment of the balance of fees in excess of the amount of the hospital benefits receivable under the Social Security Act Boards were notified that a hoard liable under section 92 of the Act or under an agreement entered into between hospital boards was not entitled lo recover from the patient. Mr T. A. Winks: 1 think a strong protest should be entered. It is obviously unfair that ratepayers should stand the racket for those who can pay, but will not until they are made to. “It places the social security scheme in a false position as far as the board is concerned,'’ said the chairman, Mr 'A. L. Campbell. “The Government is getting the credit of giving free hos- : pital treatment, but the ratepayers : pay very heavily toward it. The ratei payers do not know what they are paying.”