THE INSURANCE ACT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1330, 6 January 1912, Page 5

THE INSURANCE ACT.

DOCTORS IN REVOLT. Bt Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright London, January f. Fifteen thousand six hundred doctors arc pledged not to accept service under the Insurance Act. • ATTITUDE OF MEDICAL PROFESSION. After two days' private conference, 160 delegates of tho British Medical Association, representing the profession in every district of Great Britain and Ireland, issued on November 24 the following resolutions, unanimously passed at the tueetiqg:— 1. That the Representative Body declare the determination of the association to insist upon tho arrangements made with medical practitioners for giving attendance and treatment to insured persons being consistent with the six cardinal principles formulated and approved by tho representative meeting of Jun6 1. 2. That in tho event of the Insurance Bill becoming law, tho British Medical Association use every possible means to ensure that no medical practitioner undertake tho' altortdanco or medical treatment of itisurcd persons Under arrangements that are not absolutely in accordance with the six cardinal principles of the policy of the associa- , tion.

The six cardinal points on which the doctors insist arc: 1. Income limit of £2 a week for those entitled to medical benefits. 12. Free choice of doctor by patient, Bubjuct to consent of doctor to act. 3. Medical and maternity benefits to bo administered by local health committees and not by friendly societies. i. Adequate remuneration. fj. A method of payment favoured by the majority of practitioners in each district. ' C. Adequate representation on the local health committees. Tho meeting was unanimous that the Bill was not workable. . The only discussion was whether a refusal to accept sorvico should bo given then or whether the formal revolt should be postponed until the Act became law. The delegates from the north, particularly those from the Manchester area, favoured the former Course. It was argued that the futility of expecting further amendments had been proved, and that tho doctors owed it to themselves and the public to make their position clear withoiltsfuftber,, delay, Tho council'of the British Medical Association urged wajting until the final text of the Bill could be studiei? btforo pronouncing that it was impossible for the profession to accept it.