THURSDAY, APRIL 26,
1990
19
DISTRICT BOARDS BRIEFED ON PHA REPORT
* * *
HOSPITAL SERVICES IS CONTEMPLATED,
SHIPMAN, NIGEL
NEW WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOULD BE IN PLACE BEFORE ANY REAL INCREASE IN FEES THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR TODAY (THURSDAY}.
SAID
REPORT BY THE THE CITY HALL,
THE MODIFY
PHA'S
BRIEFING MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (PHA) AT A MEETING AT
IT FELT
SHOULD GOVERNMENT MR SHIPMAN SAID THE RECOMMENDATION FOR HIGHER FEES.
ΤΟ HAVE A BROAD TO ENSURE THAT ALL FEES ARE
IN THE GOVERNMENT'S VIEW, THE FIRST NEED IS STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FEE AND WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS, THOSE WHO WOULD FIND DIFFICULTY IN PAYING A HIGHER LEVEL OF ADEQUATELY PROTECTED, HE SAID.
GRADUALLY BY PHASES, IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICES
"ANY FEE INCREASES WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AND WOULD NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL SIGNIFICANT HAVE BEEN MADE,
" HE SAID.
SUGGEST THAT PERHAPS 15 PER CENT BE MET BY THOSE
WHO
▬▬
HE NOTED HOWEVER THAT THE PHA HAD GOOD REASON TO A GREATER SHARE OF THE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE TO 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COSTS BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICE.
SHOULD
"AT PRESENT, WHEN A PATIENT IS ADMITTED TO A PUBLIC WARD OF ACUTE HOSPITAL, HE PAYS ONLY $29 A DAY. THIS COVERS ONLY THE HIS FOOD, BUT THE TRUE COST OF THE CARE AND ATTENTION HE
DIFFERENCE THE AROUND $1,300 A DAY, " HE SAID, ADDING THROUGH THE VARIOUS DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES.
AN
OF
THAT
RECEIVES
WAS
IS
MET
DISPELLED
RELINQUISH
ITS
WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF FEES AND CHARGES, MR SHIPMAN
TO THE MISCONCEPTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS AIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCING PUBLIC HOSPITALS,
"NOTHING
COULD BE
FURTHER
FROM THE
TRUTH.
EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICES HAS RISEN EVERY YEAR STANDS AT SOME $6 BILLION.
GOVERNMENT AND NOW
"SETTING UP THE HOSPITAL ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE AND FORECAST IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
CASH
AUTHORITY
OUTFLOW,
COST MAY
AND
$2 FURTHER
BILLION GROWTH
IN IS
PATIENTS THE HIGHEST
"BUT IF WE ARE TO BRING TO OUR HOSPITAL STANDARDS OF CARE AND TO MAKE THEIR STAY MORE COMFORTABLE, HAVE TO RISE EVEN FASTER,
"
HE SAID.
COSTS MAY
JUSTIFIED
AND POWER ΤΟ CHARGED,
IS FULLY "TO ENSURE THAT ANY INCREASE IN FEES ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNMENT WILL RETAIN THE GIVE DIRECTION TO THE AUTHORITY ON THE LEVEL OF FEES TO HE STRESSED.
BE
11
/OUTLINING THE
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