House Discusses Higher Medical Service Benefits

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 3

House Discusses Higher Medical Service Benefits

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 22. An Opposition call for increased medical service benefits was condemned today by the Minister of Health, (Mr McKay), on the ground of expense involved. He said that doubling the medical benefits would mean an extra cost of £4 million a year.

Nearly every aspect of health services was covered when Parliament debated a motion by Mr R. L. Bailey (Opp., Heretaunga). The motion condemned the Government for failing to negotiate a security benefit which would have avoided increased charges for medical services.

Mr J. B. Gordon (Govt., Clutha) said the patient must pay in the finish, whether from his pocket or through the Social Security Department. It cost £2 million a year just to run that department.

“Many people are experiencing financial difficulties in meeting their doctors’ fees because Social Security contributions are nowhere near enough to meet medical costs,” said Mr Bailey. Each year seventy of every 1000 New Zealanders had surgery and 40 per cent of those were major operations. He said he was seriously concerned at the level of doctors’ charges patients were required to pay. So far the Government had been “stone-hearted” about the financial burdens put on the family man and the aged because of increased medical charges. Mr G. F. Sim (Govt., Piako): If ever an opportunity was taken to play politics —this is it.

Miss M. B. Howard (Opp., Sydenham) said doctors were working “far too hard.” Many of them were becoming ill through pressure of work. “It is not right they should work such long hours.” “7s 6d Not Enough” “I believe the time will come when the B.M.A. will negotiate a new general medical benefit with the Government because a revision of

medical services payments is urgently needed,” said Miss Howard. “The present medical benefit of 7s 6d is not a realistic amount.”

The age benefit was not enough to pay medical fees. “Do not fool yourselves. Many doctors charge high fees for old people.” The Labour Party thought doctors did an excellent job and she thought they would welcome a negotiated amount of payment in full.

Mrs E. E. McMillan (Opp., Dunedin North) said that if the 7s 6d medical benefit was

brought- into line with current costs of living it should be about 17s 6d.

“Heavy charges by specialists are a necessity now because of the greater knowledge in medical matters—but we will ensure that an addi- : tional amount is paid so the specialist charges will not be so much of a financial drain on the people who need these services.” Mr H. E. L. Pickering (Govt. Rangiora) said that if the medical scheme was revised so that a patient did not pay anything, about £8 million more would have to be found. Mr McKay said the B.M.A. had asked for an increase in the benefit. The benefits referred to in Mr Bailey’s motion were not the only benefits, however. Private hospital benefits.had been increased on three occasions. There had been increases of maternity and other benefits as well.

Matter Of Tax Should taxation be increased so that the benefits suggested could be given? Mr McKay asked. Mr G. A. Spooner (Opp., Wanganui): Yes. Mr McKay: That is a fair answer. The Labour Party had promised dental benefits which might cost about £lB million extra. “I’m glad to have assurance from the member for Wanganui that the Labour Party will increase taxation.” The Government believed there should be no further interference with the doctorpatient relationship. Discussions would continue with the B.M.A. Mr McKay suggested the Labour Party should be more frank about its intentions on medical benefits. The debate was interrupted by the tea adjournment.