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 XII. Consideration of certain major problems

Collection:: Economics Books

176 MAJORITY REPORT. rr 400. It is not, we understand, possible to say in what pro- portions deposit contributors fall into these classes but the first class is the most numerous. The Ministry of Health informed us (App. I, A. 100) that ‘* a majority of deposit contributors are in good health and would have no difficulty in joining a Society.” We were also informed by the Scottish Board of Health (App. II, A. 98) that ** an investigation of a sample of deposit contributors in Scotland disclosed that only 8 per cent. had been refused admission by Societies and that more than two-thirds had failed to join Societies by reason of neglect or ignorance.” Contrary to original expectations, it is clear, therefore, that the class is not made up almost entirely of ‘‘ bad lives,” and that so far as health is concerned the majority are eligible for Society member- ship. The fact that certain Societies have offered to take over the whole of the deposit contributors and that other Societies have pressed for allocation of the whole of the deposit contributor class among Societies, confirms this view. 401. We are informed (Ministry of Health, App. I, A, 97, Kinnear, Q. 384) that though not engaging in direct propaganda among deposit contributors, the Department make use of every reasonable opportunity of impressing on them the desirability in their own interests of seeking admission to a Society. Thus, a reasoned explanation and exhortation is given first place in the leaflet of instructions sent to every deposit contributor; all con- tribution cards issued at Post Offices have a note on the subject ; and advice to join a Society is printed on every Record Card issued to a deposit contributor. 402. It has to be borne in mind that, while the payment of contributions is compulsory, the further steps to be taken, e.g., the choice of an Approved Society and the making of an applica- tion for membership, call for voluntary action on the part of the insured person. Not all insured persons are able or willing to take the necessary steps within any time which may be officially prescribed, though they may have no objection to the underlying principle. They become deposit contributors for a time. but afterwards choose and join Societies. PoINTS FROM THE EVIDENCE. 403. The evidence which has been placed before us indicates the difficulty of the problem, and suggests varying solutions. For example, the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society suggest (App. IV, 89-107; Q. 2926-3025) the abolition of the class and compulsory allocation among Societies. The National Conference of Industrial Assurance Approved Societies (App. VI, 14; Q. 4874-4892, 4908-4909) would abolish the class and allocate members to Societies with increased reserve values for impaired lives. They would, however, offer no objection to the institu- tion of a State Society. The Ancient Order of Foresters

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