MATERNITY BENEFITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1939, Page 8

MATERNITY BENEFITS

ATTITUDE OF MEDICAL PROFESSION CHRISTCHURCH STATEMENT CHALLENGED. NEW PROPOSALS BEING DISCUSSED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A statement was made to the Press today by Dr Jamieson, chairman of the National Health Insurance Committee of the New Zealand branch of the 8.M.A., regarding a report in the Christchurch Press yesterday in connection with maternity benefits under the Social Security Act. Dr Jamieson said he could not allow the statement to stand without correction. It was made without the authority of the Canterbury division of the association and contained misstatements and inaccuracies, especially in that it implied a change of attitude on the part of the profession. •'The position is that the council of the association has submitted for the consideration of members a confidential memorandum containing proposals for operating maternity benefits under the Social Security Act.” said Dr Jamieson. “These, in effect, are modifications of the original proposals of the, association for a cash benefit to the patient. While the matter is under consideration, it is clearly not possible nor desirable to make any statement as to the exact nature of the proposals. Each of the fourteen divisions throughout New Zealand makes its own decision on the matter and then reports to the central committee dealing with the question. This committee will meet next Wednesday.”