The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-08-03
Health Insurance For Many Millions
With Low Incomes Urged BY A. F. Of L.
Government Aided Hospitals Are Imperative For Workers
Who Cannot Afford disqualification At Present
Costs Woll Tells Senate Committee

quate provision for the nations
health can save millions of dollars in
unnecessary expense and working time
lost. Insurance against that loss
should be on a nationwide basis,
financed largely by general taxation,
and administered under federal stand
ards equitably established for the
country as whole.
Payment of compensation for loss
of pay to persons unemployed because
of temporary disability is necessary
addition to the regular unemployment
compensation system.
"The unemployed man needs the
payment as much, if not more, when
he is unable to work. Health insur-
ance to cover costs of illness goes fur
ther
"The Federation believes we should
continue to expand social security to-
ward this more complete goal, but not
at the expense of other parts of the
program.
Fair Treatment for Poor People
Demanded
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sistance to put medical care and
health services within the economic
reach of the millions of families
whose incomes are too low to permit
them to buy adequate care now. Of
equal Importance is finding ways to
increase economic security of the
worker, the assurance of job and in
come. Then from that income the
worker can pay something toward a
national program of health insurance
in order that he may not be totally
unprepared for the costly disability
which may come unexpectedly.
"The Federation approves the en-
largement of public health and med
ical service programs with safeguards
that the federal money shall be spent
under such standards that people in
poorer sections shall be fairly dealt
with, that opportunities may be equal
lied and health dealt with as truly
national problem.
Labor Department Should Administer
Measures Involving Labor's Rights
"While there must be coordinated
planning in order to have national
health program we respectfully point
out and insist that the administra-
ton of any part which involved the
rights of Labor should be lodged in
the United States Department of La
Dor and the various State departments.
''This is especially true Of indus
trial hygiene which is part Of the
field covered by workmen's compensa-
tion.
"Where the administration of laws
dealing with occupational diseases
has been removed from departments
of labor, workers have been hindered
instead of helped in their efforts to
get their rights under workmen's
compensation.
compensation for occupational
disease involves proof of hazard on a
specific job-obviously a technical
problem beyond the capacity of a
worker even if he had right of entry
to carry on investigations.
"On behalf of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor | wish also to en-
| pildSlZe WlllC LABOR TeSdfuS as Iun-
damental:
"Social security is primarily prob
lem in which wage earners and small
salaried persons are concerned. When
these groups are barred from en-
ployment income should be provided
under fixed conditions.
"Wherever rights of Labor are in
volved the administration of these
rights should be lodged in the Depart
ment of Labor.
''The American Federation of Labor
urges as our ultimate program a Fed
eral Department of Labor charged
with full responsibility for aiding in
the advancement Of Labor's rights
and interests.
'The Federation feels that the ad-
ministration of old age insurance, the
employment service and unemployment
compensation and health insurance
should be in the Department of La
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