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185
National Insurance Act.
The most important measure considered by Parliament
during 1911 was the National Insurance Bill; apart from this
Act but little time has been devoted to sanitary legislation.
But the far-reaching influence which such a measure is
destined to have on the public health of this country is sufficient
justification of any expenditure of labour, if the result be a
satisfactory and workable scheme. A general sketch of its
aims from the point of view of public health adminstration is
all that can be attempted. It will be the details, to be framed
by the Insurance Commissioners, which will be of chief
practical interest from the point of view of local sanitary
administration.
The Act is one to "provide for insurance against loss of
health, and for the prevention and cure of sickness, and for
insurance against unemployment, and for purposes incidental
thereto."
It consists of 115 clauses and 10 schedules, divided into
three parts. Part I. deals with National Health Insurance,
Part II. with Unemployment Insurance, and Part III. contains
some general provisions.
The benefits conferred by Part I. (affecting us) of the Act
are enumerated in Clause 8, as follows:—
(b) Treatment in sanatoria or other institutions or otherwise
when suffering from tuberculosis, or such other
diseases as the Local Government Board with the
approval of the Treasury may appoint (in this Act
called "sanatorium benefit").
By Clause 14 sickness benefit, disablement benefit, and
maternity benefit shall be administered, in the case of insured
persons who are members of an approved society by and