asked the Minister for Health if he will state the text of the communication addressed by him to health authorities in connection with the assessment of charges on insured persons under section 15 of the Health Act, 1953.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Assessment of Health Act Charges.
11.
The communication, which was sent in October, 1958, stated that in the making of charges under Section 15 of the Health Act, 1953, some health authorities followed the practice of imposing the maximum charge and of reducing it subsequently only if representations were made to show that the patient was unable to pay the full amount. I indicated that this was not, in my view, a proper practice, and that I considered, that unless an applicant appeared, prima facie, to be able to pay the maximum charge, a reduced charge related to the readily ascertainable circumstances should be fixed in the first instance. I suggested that this point should be borne in mind in the operation of the section.