DOCTORS' FEES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22221, 23 September 1935, Page 12

DOCTORS' FEES

Sir, —Xow that the doctors 1 case for the present scale of medical fees has been stated, it in only fair that something should be said from the point of view of the public. In the latter connection it seems to me that the fundamental question is: Can the people afford the fees charged by common agreement among members of the JB.M.A. in New Zealand? I think it will not be disputed by many that most of the families in this little community of ours find that the fee mentioned is absolutely unreasonable;, and adds a load of keen anxiety to sickness in the home. Too often, "in fact, the expense of illness in the family swallows up the savings of long years of thrift. I do not wish to overstate circumstances, but I do maintain that the public is being, and has been, charged far too much for medical service. There can be no comparison between the conditions at Home and here. Doctors are an essential part of our social system; surely it is up to them to modify their demands to suit the pockets of the people. At least t.he people are honest and independent and do not ask for favours in the sha,pe of free medical service, least of all do they want the system of swings and roundabouts spoken of by a Victorian doctor. At present the citizen dreads the advent of the doctor, because he dreads that high mimiinum fee. It may well be asked what is to be done to place the advantages of modern medical science within easy reach of the people. So far the doctors themselves have done little to help the public, but, through long years of weal and woe, have kept up a high minimum fee. G.VLEX.