West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Wednesday 2 January 1952, page 3


Conflict Likely Over Public Hospital Beds CANBERRA, Tues.-The introduction of the Government's new hospital benefits scheme today will lead to an early conflict between the State and Federal authorities on the place of public hospitals. Some preliminary argument was heard last year at the Premiers' conferences.Most Most States are adhering to the Federal Labour Government's scheme of completely free public hospital beds but the latest section of the national health scheme is a move to a contributory social services scheme. The reintroduction of the means test for public hospital beds is inevitable under the new scheme of hospital insurance through a registered organisation. The matter will reach a climax when the Chifley Government's subsidy of 8/ a day for every patient is reviewed this year.