MEDICAL BENEFITS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21362, 5 March 1941, Page 4

MEDICAL BENEFITS

POSITION IN HAMILTON NO CARDS APPLIED FOR HEALTH OFFICE ADVICE Although keen interest is being taken in the progress of the Government’s plan for State medical benefits under the Social Security Act, inquiry shows that nobody has so far applied for the necessary application card at the Hamilton Post Office or the Department of Health. It should be noted that the cards have to be filled in both by the applicant and by his medical man, and then delivered to the Health Department. So far no cards bearing the approval of medical practitioners have been lodged. A message from Auckland states that applicants who find medical practitioners willing to provide them with benefits will be entitled to receive the benefits at once, pending completion of the contracts, which will be made retrospective to the date of application. LITTLE INTEREST WANGANUI DISTRICT INQUIRIES “ SEND BILL TO MINISTER ” (By Telegraph.—press Association) WANGANUI, Tuesday There has been little inquiry so far in the Wanganui district lor benent cards under the social security scheme for medical benefits, the public apparently taking the view that if tne doctors will not sign the cards it is not much use the people collecting them. Up to last night only one card was issued in Wanganui. That was to a journalist, wno required one lor reference purposes. Raetihi people, also, have not availed themseives of the scheme and so far no cards have been issued. There have been a few inquiries regarding the operation of tne scheme made at the post office, however. In Taihape inquiries lor cards have been few. There has been no demand lor cards in Marton. Waverley residents have not shown much interest, either. One man who called at the Waverley Post Office to inquire about the free medical benefits scheme said that if he could not get a doctor to sign the card he would undergo treatment and would then send tne doctor’s bill to the Minister of Health. POSITION AT DUNEDIN INQUIRY FOR 400 CARDS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) DUNEDIN, Tuesday Cards representing the first step in securing tne medical benefits of the Social Security Act have been applied for in respect ol' about 400 persons, from the Chief Post Office. The first cards were made available on Saturday. It Is understood that, so far, only two Dunedin doctors have signilied their willingness to countersign the cards. STEADY DEMAND FOR CARDS (By Telegraph.—Pres* Association) PALMERSTON N., Wednesday So far it is understood that only one doctor in Palmerston North is operating under the general medical practitioner scheme. There has been a steady demand for medical benefit cards, but the number registering or seeking to legister is not known.