Evening star., 1939-01-31

ance, now largely compulsory IN al.
most every State in the Union.
Every one of these laws provides
for medical care, as well as cash
benefits, to workers injured in the
course of their employment. Medl-
cal benefits are given in over 81
per cent of all compensation cases,
and cash benefits in only 3 per cent.
The prompt provision OF medical
care enables the injured worker to
return to his job, thus carrying out
the basic preventive purpose OF social
insurance.
Insurance against industrial acct
dents operates to the advantage OF
industry and worker alike, and with
the complete Endorsement and ap-
proval of our medical profession. I
see no reason why similar, system
attic safeguards should not be
established against risk nine times
as great.
Pre-Payment Plans Spring Up.
In recent months we have wit
messed a sudden mushroomlng OF
voluntary plans for the prepayment
of the costs of medical care. I'm
plicit in these voluntary plans is the
recognition of two major principles:
First, that medical costs are sus-
ceptible of payment under insurance
principles, and second, that the sys-
tematic organization of plans for
that purpose involves no impair
ment of the personal relationship
between physician and patient.
These voluntary plans are un-
doubtedly steps in the right direc-
ton. But experience both here and
abroad shows that voluntary plans
will not reach a suf1cient proportion
Of the population In need OF 1nsur-
ance protection and able to make
some contribution toward its cost
None OF the many nations OF the
world adopting systems OF compul-
sorry health insurance has ever aban-
doned it in favor Of a voluntary
scheme. On the contrary, most OF
those who started on q voluntary
basis, later extended 1t uniformly to
all persons in the covered population,
in the interest Of smoother operation,
lower administrative costs, and bet
ter distribution Of medical care.
The experience under the British
health insurance system offers an
instructive lesson. The Hon. David
Lloyd George, who In 1911 pressed
that measure to enactment in the
British Parliament, has recently de-
clared:
In the quarter Of q century which
has elapsed since it became law, this
once abused scheme has become one
Of the most popular elements in our
administrative system. The nation
would as soon think Of abandoning
it as 1t would Of abolishing the post
Office. - It has become the key
stone of our social structure for the
maintenance and improvement of
the nations health"
Wins Other Factions.
Thus speaks Lloyd George, father
Of British health insurance legisla-
tion. The British people, and the
British medical profession add a
hearty amen"
Only 10 months ago the British
Medical Association re-issued its
proposals for the extension and i'm
provement Of the health insurance
law. The detailed plan, in the words
Of its report, would insure for all
who need 1t every kind Of treatment
available for the cure Of the sick
and prevention of disease and would
utilize for this purpose every class of
medical practitioner"
The National Health Conference
held In Washington last year dis
closed overwhelming sentiment for
an American health program no less
broad. am confident that with the
advice and active cooperation of the
medical profession, the States will
work out plans of medical care suited
to the requirements of our own peo-
pie and safeguarding the best inter-
ests Of all concerned. We can make
substantial start by enacting a
national health bill such as I propose.
That start we ought to make, for
the benefit of the health, happiness
and economic security of our own
and future generations.