HOSPITAL RATING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 148, 29 August 1941, Page 5

HOSPITAL RATING

UNREST AMONGST' COUNTY COUNCILS ACTIONS OF ASSOCIATIONS From time to time the Whaj* katane County Council has expressed concern at the mounting costs to ratepayers in regard to hospital finance and at Tuesday's meeting re-affirmed' its opinion with the passing of the resolution that the effect of Social Security is an increased use off hospitals, which ils reflected not only in maintenance costs, but also in greatly increased build-i ing costs. The Counties' Association has been interesting itself in the matter and recently forwarded the following letter to the Minister of Health;—• There is considerable Unrest amongst County Councils at present . over their ever-increasing levies to Hospital Boards. At a recent meeting of the executive, the basis of hospital rating was very fully discussed. Members were unanimous in stating that the present basis was unfair, and that immediate relief was necessary. Members strongly advocated that the basis of such taxation should be on the capacity of the people to pay, and not as at present ' on the oAvnership of property. With this policy in view, this organisa- | tion urges that the whole charge j of hospitals should be levied upon j Income, salary, and wages, as is the ease under the Social Security Act. Members welcomed your reported statements that there was immediate need for an investigation into the whole incidence of hospital rating, and respectfully asked that the contributory bodies to Hospital Boards be consulted during the investigation. In reply the Minister wrote as follows:—The statements that I have made recently regarding this matter were prompted by numerous representations that had been made to me by Hospital Boards throughout the country. I cannot commit the Government to more than I have, already said, namely that the whole question should be thoroughly, examined. but I can assure you that no step affecting Hospital Boards and the various contributory bodies will be taken without first informing them and giving them an opportunity for discussion. Miy Departmental officers are now engaged in preparing a report which I intend to submit to' Cabinet at the first available opportunity, and I hope that I will have definite proposals to make before very long. In order to provide data for use at the investigation I would ilppreciate the following information as soon as possible:— 1. The amount of annual levy to your Hospital Board for the last 3 years. 2. The effect of Social Security on the Hospital rating problem. 3. Any other factors tending to increase your levy. The statistics requested are to be forwarded to the Minister.