Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-08
Plan Compulsory
Insurance for Sick
SUBMITTED TO FEDERATION OF
STATE MEDICAL BOARDS
TAX WAGE FARMERS So
Patients Would be Assured of Careful
Treatment by Reputable Physicians
and Latter Would be Properly Paid.

Chicago, Feb. 7-Compulsory sick
ness insurance administered by the
federal government was advocated
here tonight before the Federation OF
State Medical boards of the United
States by DR.. Otto V. Hoffman, secre-
tary of the New York state board. DR..
Hoffman proposed a plan under which
he said all reputable physicians would
have an assured income and the chief
incentives to quackery would be elm
mated.
Tax of 81 Year on Wage Farmers.
The plan contemplated a tax of 50
a year on all wage earners whose in
come is less than $1,000. He estimates
that there are 33,000,0 900 such persons
in the United States. Each would have
the privilege of selecting his own doc
tor, but no physician would be allowed
to carry more than 1000 names.
Practitioners Underpaid.
"This would mean $4,000 a year for
treating those that become sick or dis
abled, and statistics show that not
more than so of these would ever be
sick at the same time" said Dr. Hoff-
man. I'm general the public does not
realize how miserably underpaid the
medical profession is. There are 127,-
900 active practitioners in the country
and their incomes aggregate S63,50O,-
900, an average of only $500 year.
Not Too Many Doctors.
Nor is it true, as has been often
stated, that there are too many doc
tors About 1-2 per cent. of the
population is constantly sick and dis
abled; an average of 10 patients a day
for each doctor. This does not take
into account much of the practice of
specialists. Furthermore, insurance
company statistics show that SO per
cent. of the insured have some i'm
pairment of health.
1T is impossible for doctor proper
ly to look after more than 16 patients
in eight hours work. At prevailing
fees this just about pays expenses.
No Chance for coIIusion.
"The only objection mustered against
compulsory sickness insurance by
those who have investigated it's work
ings in Europe is the danger of malin-
gering or collusion to get the sick
benefits. We could meet that objsc-
ton by having no cash benefits but by
simply providing the services of doc
tor.
Wage Farmers Agree.
"I have talked with wage earners
and they agree that sick benefits
should be left to private companies.
They feel that if, by paying 81 a year
to the state, they could be insured
against doctors bills, they would be
den that they have to fear.
Mutual Benefits.
Under compulsory insurance we
would be paid to keep our clientele in
sound health and it would be against
our interest to have sickness occur.
'HWhen the medical profession is
paid to prevent sickness and is a loser
when anyone becomes sick, the day of
the quack and the charlattan will be
past.
Clientele Could Seek Advice Freely.
Under compulsory insurance we
could give advice freely without being
accused of wishing to advertise our
selves. We would be rid of the fee
splitting SIN, consultations could be
held without any hindrances. Our eli
entele could seek our advice freely and
early.
Both the medical profession and
the people have everything to gain
and nothing to lose by adopting com
DulSOrY sickness insurance"