The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-04-14
min
Proposes Health Insurance
For Entire State

Columbus, o., April 11-Enactment
of a law providing health insurance
for all wage workers receiving less
than 500 a month will be asked of
the next general assembly of Ohio,
There exist strong assurances for a
most active campaign for such a
statute in which two powerful and
active forces will be found in compe.
tition. One of these is the American
Association of Labor Legislation, and
it was through it's social insurance
committee that law was drafted
covering health insurance. This law
will be brought to Ohio for study and
action.
Ohio has been selected as fertile
ground for the enlargement Of social
insurance because of the eminent de.
gree of success that has been attain
ed with workmen's compensation In
the state, the existing statute being
regarded as a model.
The private insurance interests in
the state have Joined hands, and ave
prepared to fight for provision that
the insurance be undertaken by the
leagued companies, thus eliminating
the possibility of state monopoly
The association of underwriters will
oppose the extension of state owner
ship in any form of insurance by re
sisting all efforts to widen the pres
ent scope of the compensation law.
The proposed health insurance law
would be compulsory for all engaged
in manual labor. Compulsion is fay.
ored because experience in other
lands has demonstrated that the low
est paid workmen who most need the
protection of the plan are the last TO
avail themselves of it's voluntarily.
The benefits to be provided, if the
bill becomes law, are medical, surgi-
cal and attentive, including charges
for hospital care, medicine and sup
plies. A cash benefit equal to two
thirds the weekly wage beginning on
the fourth day after illness is to be
paid. Funeral benefits not exceeding
$50 are also to be provided.
The cost and administration are to
be about per cent of the total wages
paid. 1t is to be divided between the
employer, the workman and the state,
the first two paying two-fifths each,
and the last one-fifth. The theory OF
contribution on the part of the EN-
ployer and the state is that the work
man is partly responsible for the con.
dition of his health and receives the
benefit of the plan, the employer pays
because most sickness Is traceabl, di-
rectly or remotely, to occupational
diseases, and the responsibility of the
state to each community for the pres.
ervation of health is recognized
The proposed plan goes so far as to
provide maternity benefits for work
ing women after they have been mem
bers of associations six months of the
year preceding All midwifery ex-
pense is to be paid, and in addition
eight weeks sickness benefits are
appropriated to each member.
Part of the states contribution is 10
be set aside to accumulate and be-
come guaranty fund against catas.
trophe in the form of epidemics.
Ohio medical men are deeply inter.
ested in the promotion of the new
law. DR.. E. B. Heyhurst, director of
the department of occupational dis
eases OF the state board of health, is
to deliver a thesis upon the subject
before the Columbus Academy of
Medicine.
The advocates of the law declare
that there are 100000 people in the
United States sick at all times, and
that each of the 3O,000,OOO wage earn,
ers loses on an average OF nine days
each year from illness.
"