Report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1740277147

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-132094

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Stationery Office

Year of publication:: 1926

Scope:: XII, 394 S.

Digitisation:: 2020

Collection:: Economics Books

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Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter VI. The financial burden of the existing social services

Collection:: Economics Books

MAJORITY REPORT. the productive capacity of the country should, from time to time, be struck, even though this can probably be done only in a very general way and without reduction to any precise formula, of which, indeed, the conditions do not permit. If, ignoring such considerations of prudence, the rate of expenditure outruns in a substantial way the productive capacity of the country, the result must surely be to stultify the aims which the nation has set before itself. It is small consolation to a bankrupt to be told that his doctor’s bills have been the main cause of his disaster. 152. These considerations are, we think, relevant to our reference in view of the wide and costly extensions of the Health Insurance Scheme which have been urged on us from many quarters. We have every sympathy for such proposals and every desire that this country should maintain that leadership in the provision of social services which it has certainly shown to the world. At the same time we feel that there may come a time, and that in fact there has come a time when the State may justifiably turn from searching its conscience to exploring its purse, and that in connexion with our present reference we are entitled to direct. attention to this grave problem, and to frame our recommenda- tions in the light—or the darkness—of the economic condition of the nation. 153. We therefore make the definite recommendation that only such extensions or modifications as involve no expenditure or can be met within the present financial resources of the scheme, should be considered as immediately practicable. This. implies that, in our opinion, there should be no increase at the present time in the rates of contribution under the scheme. We consider also that the scheme should be self-supporting subject to the payment by the Exchequer of its present proportionate: share of the cost of benefits and their administration, together with the cost of the general supervision of the Scheme by the Ministry of Health and the Scottish Board of Health. = We recommend that beyond these charges no further liability should rest on the Exchequer in any circumstances. This would involve: the repeal of the provision of the Act under which the Exchequer is contingently liable to make a contribution to the Central Fund.

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