§ 16. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Health whether there are any fixed dates on which panel doctors should receive payment for work done under the 633 Health Insurance Acts; whether he is aware that in Lancashire payment has not yet been Made in full for services rendered in 1918; when such arrears will be paid; and whether arrangements will be made so that the doctors will not in future have to wait twelve months for money due to them?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe existing arrangements necessitate the calculation of. the number of insured persons in each area during the period to which each payment relates, and necessarily involve delay in making a final settlement, although substantial instalments are paid as promptly as possible. I am informed that there has been certain unavoidable delay in effecting a settlement in Lancashire for 1918, but payment of the final balances has now been made in all cases except in the few instances where statements from the doctors have not yet been received. A new basis of payment, which has been accepted by insurance practitioners, will come into operation for 1920, and will enable settlements to be effected quarterly.
§ 21. Mr. NEWBOULDasked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that the Insurance Act has not improved the health of the nation, lie intends to introduce an alternative medical service?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am not of opinion that the statement made in the first part of the question by the hon. Member is correct, and I do not, therefore, find it necessary to consider the suggestion in the second part.
§ 22. Mr. NEWBOULDasked the Minister of Health whether the majority of panel practitioners regard service under the National Health Insurance Acts as degrading, but are, under the present economic conditions, compelled to take service under that Act?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo, Sir; I have every reason to believe that the suggestions in both parts of the question are without foundation.