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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Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter XIII. Miscellaneous questions

Collection:: Economics Books

46 MAJORITY REPORT increase in the normal rates of sickness and disablement benefits would approach the borderline of over-insurance. The National Conference of Industrial Assurance Approved Societies (App. VI, 20; Q. 5235, 5245-5269, 5424-5427) suggest that increases to the normal rate of sickness benefit should be restricted to 5s., and that not more than two-thirds of the surplus of any Society should be applied to such benefits. The witnesses also referred to the relatively greater beneficial effects of treatment benefits, and expressed the opinion that sickness benefit cannot be administered successfully without certain additional benefits in the nature of treatment. The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows (App. VII, 46- 49; Q. 5580-5610, 5923, 5952-5956) urge a statutory limitation of increases in the rates of cash benefits, and consider that excessive eash payments have a tendency to destroy personal thrift. They also consider that treatment benefits are much more important from the standpoint of public health. The Independent Order of Rechabites (App. VIII, 81; Q. 6108) suggest a limit of 5s. in the rate of increase of sickness benefit on the ground of the greater value of treatment benefits. The Rational Association Friendly Society (App. IX, 82) state that excessive cash benefits tend to over-insurance and malingering, and on this ground suggest a statutory limitation of additional cash benefits. The Joint Committee of Approved Societies (App. XIV, 6; Q. 8202, 8211-8212) suggest a maximum rate of sickness benefit of 18s., in the hope that the large surpluses disclosed on valuation will thus lead to a reduction in the contribution. The Group of Catholic Approved Societies (App. XVII, 2-3; Q. 8590-8591, 8611-8625, 8645-8646) are in favour of the complete elimination of additional cash benefits, while the National Conference of Friendly Societies (App. XXVI, 14; Q. 10,650-10,660, 10,706-10,732), the Order of the Sons of Temperance (App. LXXXIX, 63-64; Q. 21,429- 21,430), and the Edinburgh and Leith Friendly Societies’ Council (App. LXXXI, 3; Q. 90,673-20,679) support the view that a limit of 5s. should be placed upon the rate of increase of sickness benefit, having in view the importance of encouraging voluntary thrift and the more beneficial effects of treatment benefits on public health. The Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds (App. XIV, 20) and the Standing Committee of Scottish Insured Women (App. XLVI, 5) make similar recommendations. The National Federation of Employees’ Approved Societies (Q. 13,390) oppose any statutory limitation of additional cash benefits, and think that Societies should be given full discretion in disposing of their own surpluses. In conclusion we quote the following from the evidence given before us by Sir Walter Kinnear on this subject :—* The view of the Department is that it is not desirable to place a statutory limit to the possible increase of standard rates of benefit. While most Societies limit themselves to 5s. increase in sickness benefit. there are some Societies for which as much

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