New-York tribune., 1919-01-26

"a cent years has been the rapid
spread of the workmen's comnen-
sstion movement and the striking feat
ure in the immediate future is the possi-
be enactment of health insurance lcgisla-
ton When a movement of this kind once
gets under way it spreads with astonish-
ing rapidity. A certain period of educa-
tional preparation is always necessary to
break the path for legislation This work
Of educational propaganda has now been
pretty thoroughly done in the case Of
health insurance, and the phase Of egis-
lstive accomplishment is at hand. The
same social forces and conditions that
brought about the enactment Of work
mems compensation laws in thirty eight
states and three territories within the
short period of eight years are now behind
thc movement for health insurance. The
success Of this movement in the near fut-
ure seems therefore. to be a practical GER
tainty.
IN his inaugural address to the Legisla-
turc Governor Smith recommended as a
needed measure Of social reconstruction
the enactment Of 8 health insurance law,
including provision for maternity iusur-
sncc. Nothing is 50 devastating in the
life of the workers family as Sickness"
Governor Smith declared. "The ncapacity
Of the wage worker because of illness is
ore OF the underlying causes of poverty.
Now, Tho worker and his family bear this
OIL ~,
Insurance law, which I strongly urge. Will
remedy this unfair condition. Moreover,
1t VIII result in greater precautions being
taken 10 prevent illness and disease and
e eliminate tho consequent waste to the
state thcrefrom It will lead to the adop-
ton OF wider measures of public health
and hygiene and it viii operate TO con-
serve human life. The large percentage
Of physical disability disclosed by the
draft shows how deeply concerned the
state is in this matter. Proper provision
also should be made for maternity insur-
sHce in the interest of posterity and OF the
race"
TIC beginning Of the movement for
health insurance in this country may be
traced back to December, 1912, when
Labor Legislation was appointed, to study
the question and draft legislation. IN
1915 a bill prepared by this committee was
in reduced in the legislatures o. three
states New York Massachusetts, and New
Jersey In 1917 the bill was introduced
in twelve state legislatures, and, as a re-
suit. eight state invest igatng commissions
were appointed. Three of these commits
sions, in California, New Jersey and Mas
saehusetts, have already reported in favor
of health insurance legislation, and the
other commissions will probably report at
the coming legislative sessions. In 1918
modified bill was introduced in New York
State with the support of the STATE Fedora
ton Of Labor, certain changes having been
nade in the draft proposed by the com
mistee of the American Association for
Labor Legislation to meet objections ITO
this measure on the part of organized la
bor. This bill was heard in committee
but not reported This year. the same bill,
with few minor changes, will be intro
duced again at the request of the State
federation OF Labor, which at its conven-
ton in 1913 voted 800 to / in favor Of
health insurance legislation The measure
''ii also have the support of other or
carnations, including, in addition to the
american Association for Labor Legisla-
ton, the National Consumers League, the
New York State Federation of Women's
Clubs. the Women's Trade Union League,
the New York Suffrage Association and
the Young Women's Christian Association.
With the urgent recommendation of the
Governor and the support of these organi-
cations behind it, the measure will ncces-
sarjly command the serious attention of
the Legislature
he health insurance provided by this
bill IS to cover all employees in the state;
inat IS, it is universal and compulsory. The
benefits include necessary medical, surg-
cal and nursing care for employees and de
pendent members of their families, and
eaSa benefits on the scale Of two-thirds Of
wages during disability for maximum
period Of twenty-sx weeks yearly with
maximum and minimum limits Of So and
20 week respectively The bill also pro-
Fides for maternity benefits equal to the
regular cssh benefits for sickness, payable
lor period OF eight weeks, of which at
'east six shall be subsequent to childbirth
Finally, provision is made for funeral bcne-
rs at the rate of 500. The funds to pro
VIDE these benefits are to be contributed
jointly by employer and employe in equal
proportions, but for employees earning less
man 10, but more than s5, the contribu-
LIONS are In proportions Of three quarters
~ the employer and one-quartcr by the
'mpioye, and in case the weekly earnings
u an employe are IS or lesg the contr-
Dotions are borne entirely by the employer.
ms Division Of the cost between the EN-
p''yer and the employc is justified on the
ksound that the responsibility for sickness
'@hs upon both paytics-~the sanitary CON
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