NO AGREEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 May 1939, Page 5

NO AGREEMENT

MINISTERS AND DOCTORS CONFER B.M.A. MAINTAINS OBJECTIONS REJECTION OF CONTRACT PROPOSALS. 'STATE MEDICAL SERVICE LIKELY. (By Telegraoh—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. 'This Day. Discussions on the question of maternity benefits under the Social Security Act took place at a meeting yesterday between representatives of Hie .New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association and the Prime Minister, Air Savage, and the Minister of Health, Mr Fraser. Before his departure from Wellington for the north last night Mr Fraser issued a statement in which he said that the association was rigidly adhering to its general objections to any form of contract with practitioners for medical services in .relation to benefits. Mr Fraser said it had been unequivocally pointed out to the association s representatives that failing co-opera-tion the Government would have to proceed with the institution of a State medical service. The association’s representatives had indicated that .in their view a State medical service was preferable to the present scheme of contracts with practitioners. It was stated by Mr Fraser that the provisions of the Act relating to maternity benefits did not contemplate an arrangement for a cash benefit payable to the patient as suggested by the doctors. The question of a cash benefit was fully considered when the Act was being prepared. The Government was equally anxious with the association to maintain the highest possible standard of obstetric practice and was confident its scheme would do that.

B.M.A. STATEMENT CASH BENEFIT PAYMENT REFUSED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The following statement was issued by the National Health Insurance Committee of the New Zealand branch, of the British Medical Association:— “A conference took place between the Prime Minister, Hie Minister of Health, and representatives of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, at which the question of medical service in connection with maternity benefits under the Social Security Act was discussed. “The Ministers declined to entertain the association’s recommendation to make this a cash benefit payable to the patient, and indicated their intention to proceed with the institution of a State medical service to put this benefit under the Act into effect. "The Minister of Health expresses readiness to reconsider the terms, conditions, and regulations of the contract of service recently offered to the doctors on any particular point to which the profession had objection. The representatives of the association restated their objections to the principle of contract practice as applying to the whole population, and reaffirmed the necessity of maintaining the individual and private character of medical practice as it exists at present.” The New Zealand branch of the association was represented .by the following members of its national health insurance committee: Dr J. P. S. Jamieson, chairman; Dr F. T. Bowerbank, chairman of the' council of the branch: Dr P. P. Lynch, general secretary; Mr T. D. M. Stout, Wellington; Dr J. P. Duncan, Waverley; Dr L. J. Hunter, Levin.