STATE MEDICINE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1939, Page 4

STATE MEDICINE

* POPULAR WITH AMERICAN PEOPLE. GENERALLY OPPOSED ■BY DOCTORS. Doctors in America are taking the same view with regard to social security as are the medical practitioners in New Zealand, according to Dr. R. McMaster, a former Masterton resident, who was interviewed by a “Times-Age” reporter this morning. Dr. McMaster has been doing research work in Detroit and clinical work in Los Angeles and Hollywood for the past five years. “Socialised or so-called State medicine is rapidly coming into use in the United States, but it is as unpopular

“Socialised or so-called State medicine is rapidly coming into use in the United States, but it is as unpopular with the medical associations as it is popular with the public,” said Dr. McMaster.

“It seems only a matter of time before the health of the people will be accepted as a Government responsibility. throughout the States,” he added. “The desire for a State system is strongest in the rural districts. In the cities and larger towns the medical profession is opposed to the idea. The reasons they advance are practically the same as those advanced by the B.M.A. here.” Dr. McMaster said that the American Medical Association, which exercised wide power and influence in the profession, was resisting the efforts of the Federal Government to initiate a national State service. This fight was still going on when he left America. “The idea in America is that all the States will conduct a health insurance plan, but that each State will be allowed to conduct the scheme in the manner which it considers best,” he observed. The Federal Government has, of course, to approve the scheme submitted by the various States.” Dr. McMaster stated that already several States had'submitted plans to the Government, but whether or not they had been approved he could not say.