The Daily Alaska empire., 1928-07-18
Removing Obstacles to Contentment.
Engineering and Mining Journal)


 A joint probem--nsurance and the cost of lsiekness-is among the perennial subjects that cry aloud for attention. The Saturday Evening Post in a recent editorial hinted the possibility lof State insurance and more governmental con cern in the health of the Nation This influential publication believes that "most industries and perhaps high-minded profession like medi- cine, needs a little threat, ghost on the back stairs and then, to stir them into the highest measure of service. Institutions, like men, some times do their best work when another candidate for the job is waiting to step into their shoes A governmental investigation into the cost and efficiency of life insurance might result disas- trously, however. Lobby efforts in opposition would doubtless be made at Washington and else where, the cost of which would be heavy. And the policyholders, present and prospective, would have to pay-in premiums .'loaded' with still further charges
 One can make provision against monetary loss from accident but not against unemploy- ment. Ample facilities are available to permit one to make financial provision for ones heirs; but 1t is not to easy to obtain adequate protec- ton against survival in combination with the major disturbing factor in life-sickness So- called life insurance is usually death insurance and the wisdom of pension schemes needs much broader recognition than it has been accorded hitherto
 The findings of committee on the High Cost of Medical Care, under the charmanship of Dr. Ray Lyman Wilbur, President of Stanford University, is expected to defect considerable public attention in the direction of a problem that often attains the proportion of ., a menace to solvency and causes perpetual worry among Ia large section of the population. When this condition is aggravated by crude propaganda aimed to drive all and sundry to the medical examiners office, factor of psychological sug- geston is introduced that complcates a situation that is bad enough it is
 Gross incompetency among medical practi- tioners especially in regard to diagnosis is not uncommon The cost of surgical operation often proves serious burden to the millions comprising the great middle classes, who are usually obliged to accept the verdict of one sur- geon Hospital charges invariably excessive only the rich are free from anxiety as to ability to pay; the poor can avail themselves of free service at the many institutions that are avail able.
 Industry has stepped into the breach to a comhehdable extent, showing that medical care can be dispensed efficiently and economically IL IS good business for a company to keen it's employees healthy and happy. Paternalism of thls Kind is one of the best evidences of recogni ton or growing spirit of humanitarianism that mlght well seep into the broader channels of national life More clinics are needed where tbe middle classes can get good medica1 service at a price which they afford to pay: and more health insurance is necessity for all but tbe Independently welI-to-do
 II one could adopt the Chniese practice of paying the doctor only when we'll there would De iewer quacks, qualified" and unqualified reg istered and unregistered, and larger number of useful people with sound minds in sound bodies