The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-08-03

Health Bill Is. 1920 "to provide for
the general welfare by enabling the
several States to make more adequate
provision for public health, preven-
tion and control of disease, maternal
and child health services, construction
and maintenance of needed hospitals
and health centers, care of the sick,
disability insurance, and training of
personnel" The bill emphasizes that
cas- far as practicable under the con-
ditions in each State" its provisions
shall be applied especially in rural
areas and in areas suffering from Sc
we're economic distress" For grants to
the States and administration the bill
appropriates $95,250,O00 for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1910. During the
hearing held by the Senate Education
and Labor Committee on the Wagner
Bill, Matthew Woll, chairman of the
American Federation of Labor Com
mittee on Social Security, made a
statement to the committee outlining
the national health program advocated
by the Federation. Mr.. Woll said, in
part:
"At the National Health Conference
in July, 1888, President Green, speak
ing on behalf of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, urged the improve
ment and extension of preventive pub
lie health services and research, of
hospitals and medical centers, of ma
ternal and child welfare services, of
programs of medical care for those
families whose income is insufficient
to allow them to buy proper protection
for themselves, and the provision Of a
temporary disability insurance to sup
plement the limited protection now
available under workmen's compensa-
tion laws.
Protect Private Initiative
ut is important in extending social
responsibility in these fields not to
neglect the contribution which pri-
vate medical agencies and professional
men have made to handicapped per-
sons, and not to block the road to con-
tinued private initiative and research.
"We believe that the medical pro-
fession must be kept free from time
consuming and wasteful adninistra-
tive detail. 1t is also important that
the free relationship between ply
sicians and patient be maintained.
"For this reason we approve sys-
tenn which allows the individual wide
latitude in the choice of professional
services, and all reasonable safeguards
!, against undesirable political influence
s in establishing the certified lists of in
stitutions and professional men who
will receive part of their income from
government funds.
Federal Standards Are Required
"We believe that the health of the
nation is so obviously not matter
bounded by state lines that the stand
ards for the health services and medi-
cal programs which are partially fl
nanced by federal funds should be
established in the national law.
differences in type and number of
services available will, of necessity,
continue and may properly be related
to differences in needs depending on
the density of population and partic-
ular needs. But there should be equit-
able treatment for all persons within
the nation and this can be secured only
by defining the standards to be met
by all States which receive federal
grants.
Hospitals Must Be Available For
Small-Income Groups
"The Federation believes that in
creased hospital facilities and other
medical services which federal grants
will help support should be made
available to persons with small in
comes at fees commensurate with their
ability to pay for service as we'll as
ment.
"The worker needs to have medical
care available within the reach Of his
purse. He does not want the charity
of free service. He cannot afford ade
quate care at the present costs.
"a national program should aid
those of moderate and small means
in proportion as they need it. The
assurance of such reduction of medi-
cal costs should be given in the fed
eral standards adopted.
"Even if costs are reduced a seri-
Gus illness will throw many a family
into hopeless debt or dependency. The
average costs distributed over
period of years might be borne by
many who are not able to pay large
amount in one year.
National Health Insurance Is
Imperative
"We believe, therefore, that health
insurance should be added to the pro-
gram of social insurance already en-
acted. The Federation believes that
a health insurance program should be
on national scale. We should avoid
the wastes and inequities Of forty
eight separate systems which may be
adopted in the absence Of national
standards.
"It is true now that many workers
could not afford even the average an
nual costs of medical care. The insur-
ance premiums would be too great
burden on low paid and irregularly