asked the Minister for Health the reason farmers have not been furnished with an account in respect of the payment of health contributions for 1983; when these accounts will be furnished; the total finance he expects to collect under this scheme; and if the farmers who have not paid health contributions are covered for pending hospital expenses.
Written Answers. - Farmers' Health Contributions.
311.
Health boards are currently issuing demands in respect of 1983-84 and in respect of arrears due. The delay factor was occasioned by organisational and other difficulties involved in changing from a notional to a factual system of assessing farm income.
It is difficult at this stage to estimate with any degree of precision the overall payments which will be obtained from farmers in the current year in respect of health contributions, having regard to the fact that the demands which are now issuing cover arrears as well as liabilities for the current year. As regards the arrears situation regulations are being drawn up providing for a hospital admission charge of £100 in the case of persons seeking in-patient services in public hospitals who have not discharged their liabilities for health contributions. This charge will be additional to any payments due for private or semi-private accommodation. I propose to introduce these regulations in the near future.