HEALTH INSURANCE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 444, 27 May 1937, Page 6

HEALTH INSURANCE

GOVERNMENT’S SCHEME

Position Of Medical Profession Christchurch, May 26. There is keen discussion among doctors over a proposal that under the Government’s intended health insurance scheme all general medical practitioners should be brought under some such panel system as exists in Sreat Britain. No official statement is being made either in Government quarters or by representatives of the medical profession, but it is admitted on both sides that the panel system is included as an integral feature in the proposals being considered for the general health scheme.

Cfty medical men discussed the panel system at a meeting held last week, when they were addressed on the heaitn scheme generally by the president of the New Zealand branch of the BriLLsh Medical Association. Dr. T. D. M. Stvir, of Wellington. It is stated authoritatively that the panel system suggested for inclusion in the national health scheme will involve allotting all recognised practitioners a maximum number of patients to each, banging, according to the present proposals, between 2000 and 3000. Choice of Doctor. Subscribers 'to the general scheme, which will be universal it the present wishes ot the Government are carried out, will pay an annual- contribution tor this service, ranging from £1 annually, at preser t suggested as the minimum, to a higher subscription according to income. It is intended under this scheme that subscribers will be given an opportunity at the outset to nominate their choice ot doctor, but that where a doctor receives more than an average of ailo3/ation, there will have to be a turnover to another doctor. This scheme would ensure medical men a maximum of income ot at least £2OOO, the ae ual figure being the number of patients allocated to each doctor. It is stated that in the discussion held by medical men at Ghristchurch the figure has been placed as high as £3OOO. The city population figures bear this out. It is also stated that the scheme being considered provides that where a subscriber wishes to consult a specialist as well iae his panel doctor he will be entitled to do so, but that the specialist’s fees will be in addition to hi s annual contribution to the national scheme funds. "

Apparently the allocation of patients under the scheme will be worked ou'„ in la way that will allow as much as possible the recognition of subscribers’ preferences as well as regional convenience. These are only the broad' general outlines of the scheme which the medical profession has been asked to consider, apparently by an investigating committee sot up by the Government to prepare a national scheme for health and superannuation benefits on* a compulsory contributory basis.