DEADLOCK WITH DOCTORS

Chronicle (Levin), 23 February 1949, Page 5

DEADLOCK WITH DOCTORS

( N.Z.P.A. -

-Reuter.

Federal Cabinet Examining Power To Prosecute

covj/rteht)

Received Wednesday,. 10 a.m. CANBERRA, Feb.' 23. Cabinet has decided that if it has the power it will prosecute doctors who refuse to take part in the free medicine • and national health schemes. The Minister of Health, Senator M\ F. McKinna, and the AttorneyGeneral, Dr. H. V. Evatt, will examine the Government's powers under the relevant legislation. At a Cabinet meeting, the Ministeps said that somethin^should be done to break the deadlock with the British Medical Association over the free medicine service. It was felt that the New South Wales section of the association was chiefly responsible for the deadlock. Dr. Evatt and Mr. McKinna believe that the enforcement of the existing Act by new regulations and heavy penalties will not conflict with the Constitution, which was altered by referendum in 1946 to enable the Government to create medical and dental services. In Sydney, Dr. J. Hunter* secretary of the Federal council of the British Medical Association, said that if the Government was threatening the doctors it was doing so in a silly way. He added that he believed that the Government had no power to force doctors to write out prescriptions on Government forms. Doctors throughout Australia were unanimous in their opposition to the Government's scheme.