MATERNITY BENEFITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1939, Page 7

MATERNITY BENEFITS

PROPOSALS BY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SUBMITTED TO GOVERNMENT, j NO CHANGE REGARDING OTHER DETAILS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. An announcement that fresh maternity proposals had been formulated by the medical profession and that these were being submitted to the Government was made yesterday by Dr J. P. S. Jamieson in a statement issued on behalf of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association. Dr Jamieson emphasised . that. though further proposals had been put forward. they related only to the maternity benefit, and there was no question of any change of attitude on the part of the medical profession toward the other medical benefits. Medical services for the maternity benefit were virtually non-operative in most parts, as the vast majority of the profession would not accept the contract, said Dr The association, however, was unwilling that the public should be unable to avail themselves of that benefit, and to overcome the difficulty had formulated fresh proposals. These were at present being submitted to the Government. "The proposals of the association." added Dr Jamieson, "involve amendments to the Social Security Act. and if accepted by the Government, necessarily require further discussion and consultation. "It must be understood that these proposals relate only to the maternity benefit; and the fact that they have been put forward implies neither acceptance of the Government's scheme nor any change of attitude on the part of the profession toward the other medical benefits. “Further statements for ,the information of the public will be made as may bo necessary." STATEMENT BY MINISTER WILL RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF PROPOSALS. ACTION OF ASSOCIATION APPRECIATED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Little difficulty is expected by the Minister of Health, Mr Fraser, in reaching a complete agreement with the British Medical Association on details of the requisite legislation and regulations giving full effect to the maternity benefits under the Social Security' Act. Mr Fraser said in an interview last night that he had heard with gratification lb?.!. fl majority of the doctors had agreed to the association’s proposals. “I have received an intimation from the general secretary of the association, Dr P. P. Lynch ’ said Mr Fraser, “that the referendum on the proposals drafted by the association, and submitted to its members, has resulted in a majority vote in favour of the proposals.” The Minister expressed his gratification at the result and his appreciation of the action of the association as a whole in deciding to co-eperate in extending to the mothers, of New Zealand’ the great benefits of the maternity services provided under the Social Seem - ity Act. “I have had an opportunity of studying the proposals in question, and subject to agreement on necessary adjustments in relation to legislation and regulations, I will be pleased to recommend their adoption by the Government. Ido not anticipate any difficulty in arriving at complete agreement on the requisite details.”