MATERNITY BENEFITS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20726, 9 February 1939, Page 13

MATERNITY BENEFITS

PROPOSALS OUTLINED j PAYMENT FOR SERVICES ARRANGEMENT OF CONTRACTS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday Maternity benefits under the social j security scheme were “outlined by the j Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, | addressing the Hospital Boards’ Asso- I ciation conference at New Plymouth j to-day. Mr Fraser quoted sub-section 2, section 95, which provides that, inter alia, every woman who is entitled to the services of a medical practitioner in relation to any maternity benefits shall have the right to select the medical practioner by whom such services shall be given. The general form of benefits comprised payments from the fund to hospitals, midwives, maternity nurses and doctors affording care in maternity. As far as public hospitals, midwives, maternity nurses and medical practitioners (except specialists) were concerned, Raiment was intended to be in full payment of services rendered, but in the case oi private hospital? the amount was to be in full or partial satisfaction of the hospital’s claim. Care In Hospitals It had been represented that recognised obstetric specialists should be permitted to charge a patient an addiI lional approved fee, but this was a point to oe decided. Payments would be made direct to those rendering the sci vice. In respect of hospital care, a specific fee would be fixed in respect of childbirth and a daily rate for each day thereafter up to 14 days, con- ! tinued the Minister. A hospital re- ; ceiving a patient after delivery would be entitled to the daily rate specified for maternity cases for any unexpired portion of the 14 days. Any necessary treatment after the period of 14 days following confinement would be j the subject of nospital benefit and payment accordingly would be made i from the fund at the rates and under | the conditions specified under the hospital benefit provision. Care at confinement in an unlicensed maternity home would not be regarded as hospital care. ! Steps would be taken to set out the 1 terms and conditions 1 of contract of , service and rates of payment, and doctors, nurses and hospital authorities would be invited to signify their willingness to provide services accord- ■ ingly. The rate of payment for 1 maternity care afforded by hospital ; boards was a matter for future dei termination, but it had already been indicated that it would be on a basis approaching the current charges in hospital institutions.