New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-26

In the past the opposition has come from
the private insurance interests. from en-
poyers in general. from some physicians,
end even from some labor leaders.
The insurance companies fighting
health insurance legislation precisely
they opposed workmens compensation legis-
lation. Their opposition will prove as
svailing in the present instance as it did in
the former case. Whenever private interest
attempts to block the path of social progress
1t has 30 yield. Incidentally, the hope may
be expressed that private companies opcr-
ated for profit Will not be permitted to par
tcipate in underwriting the Insurance under
any health insurance law exactcd by an
American state. Such participation would
impose needless expense upon employers
and would give rise to dissatisfaction and
complaint the part Of employees. The
traditions and practices of the "old line"
insurance companies are such as to unfit
them for proper discharge of the great So
cial trust involved in the administration of
health insurance to workers
The opposition from manufacturers is
motived by fear Of the new burden which
health insurance would impose upon indus
try. The dread this score is naturally
accentuated at time when industry is con
fronted with serious problems of readjust-
ment and reconstruction. 1t may be conf
IDENTIFY asserted, however. that in the
course of time the benefits accruing 10 cn-
ployers through health insurance for their
workers will far outweigh the money cost
Most employers opposed the enactment of
workmen's compensation laws, but this at
tllI 0f Oh IL
the successful operation of these laws TO
one of cordial approval and support. The
same evolution of opinion on the part of
employers may be expected to run its course
with reference to health insurance AS has
been previously pointed out, health insur-
ance is an important measure for the con
servation Of labor, and its economic value
to employers will come to be appreciated
more generally under the unusual condl-
tons in the labor market created by the
war
The opposition to health insurance from
members Of the medical profession has by
no means been unanimous. Indeed, it may
be said that the most pubics spirited and
farsighted representatives of this profcs-
sion have favored health Insurance. Several
state medical societies including those OF
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, have indorscd
the principle of health insurance. Dir. Al
eXander Lambert, president of the American
Medical Association, has published valua-
bic report the subject, as chairman of
an investigating committee of the associa-
ton. The health insurance movement is also
! supported by Miss Mary Beard, president Of
the National Organization for Public Health
Nurses, and DR.. Andrew K. Warner ~
Cleveland, president of the American Hos
pital Association SO far as opposition
lists within the ranks Of the medical pr,
fession, it springs from fear that health in
surance legislation would mean interfer-
with private practice and restriction
of physicians fees. In this connection it
may be stated with certainty thai health in
surance laws would prove financially bene-
fetal to the medical profession, precisely
, have workmen's compensation laws. Before
the enactment of the latter injured en-
ployes in many cases went to free clinics
for treatment and the physicians attending
them received no fees. Physicians and hos
pitas rendering medical service under
workmen's compensation laws are always
paid for their services. The effect of work
mems compensation legislation has been to
increase the income of the medical profes-
sion, and health insurance legislation would
have the same effect even in q greater de
gree.
Such opposition to health insurance as
has appeared in the ranks Of organized
labor springs from dislike of the compul-
sorry feature Of the proposed plan. Nh
Samuel Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor, has expressed himself
Us opposed to health insurance for this
reason. He thinks that compulsory Law
would undermine trade union activity
There must" he declares, necessarily be
weakening of independence of spirit and
virility when compulsory insurance is pro
vided for large a number of citizens of
the state At the present time, however.
the voice of Mr.. Gompers on this issue Is
almost that of one crying in the wilderness.
for trade unions all the country are
algning themselves solidly with the move
mcnt for health insurance. Mr. John Mitch
ell, chairman of the New York State lndus-
trial Commission strongly advocates health
insurance. He states: Public sentiment
in this country is developing rapidly in
favor of universal health insurance for
wage earners, including maternity benefits
NY own observation, through long experi-
ence with ravsges of accident, trade, dis
ease and sickness among working people and
/ their families, leads me to the conviction
/ that health insurance is even more impor-
tant than workmen's compensation" Mr.
James NJ. Lynch. member os the same
commission, is chairman of the committee
on health of the New York State Federation
Of Labor, which will be the sponsor of the
health insurance bill to be introduced al
this session of the Legislature
In conclusion, then, the early enactment
OF health insurance legislation in New York