XN000022-1990-04-26 — Page 20

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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