The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-07-13
Wage Earners and
(Continued From Page One)

"The group l represent, approXi-
mately five millions of wage earners
and those dependent on them, have
never had adequate medical care, so
that they were free to have doctor
whenever needed.
"We do not have the medical or the
living conditions that would avert
disease. When sickness comes we
wait, hoping it's development may be
checked and expense avoided.
Because of need for economy, chill
dren's diseases and Affections are ne
elected, mothers are made invalids,
premature old age cuts off useful per-
sons lives, adults in their prime drop
at their work.
Low Income Groups Are Hardest Hit
"All these things that workers
know in their daily living were con-
firmed by the revealing studies by the
Committee on Costs of Medical Care
and by the United States Public
Health Service which have made it
clear that illness strikes with more
devastating force the families of those
least able to bear the expense.
"The number of days of disability
per person per year from disease, ac-
cidents and other impairments for all
age groups is materially higher for
families on relief than for non-relief
families and for every age group ex-
cept that under Is years the number
of days of disability is greater for
non-reief families with incomes below
$1,000 than for those above that
figure. The great majority of wage
earners receive less than 81 500 per
annum.
accidents are more frequent and
more serious, judged in time of dis
ablement among persons in relief
families and non-relief families with
incomes below 81 500 than in better
income groups. There is more illness
and for longer periods among the un-
employed than among the employed.
"Obviously there is close relation
ship between employment income, and
health. Ill health may force an other
wise self sustaining family to accept
relief, and persons on relief or unem-
ployed can afford little either of pre-
ventive measures or of care for those
needing it. The consequence is plain
i'm the longer duration and more fre-
quent ailments.
Chronic Diseases Smite the Poor
"Chronic diseases lay heavy bur-
den on the economically weaker fam
lilies. The National Health Survey of
1886 revealed that the relief group
suffered 81 per cent more chronic i'll
ness thar families with incomes over
$4,000, and non-relief families with
incomes under $1,000 had an illness
rate az per cent higher than the $4,000
group.
"Over half the persons for whom
chronic disease was reported were
under as years of age. This means
temporary or perhaps permanent dis
ability for many wage earners.
"ln spite of the fact that more i'll
ness is suffered by persons of low in
comes, medical expenses are greater
for those of better incomes.
at is clear that the well-to-do are
not receiving more than adequate
medical service. The average wage
earner's family receives less than it
should have of all such services.
Workers Lack Specialized Care
"Surveys have pointed out repeat
edly the need for more specialized
care such as that for eyes and teeth.
'The limiting factor is income. The
family cannot afford more attention
for it's members, even though the
absence of early treatment may mean
prolonged or disabling illness later.
"Our labor unions have attempted
to help our membership with the
problems of sickness. For the year
1887 we paid out over two and quar-
ter millions in sick benefits, but this
was only drop in the bucket.
'The payment of unemployment
compensation to aid such persons as
are available for work seems to en-
phasize the plight of the sick work
ers whose need for income is even
greater.
National Plan Held Necessary
| NoiuiildIy pldiiS CdiiIioI llceI liie
problem of providing adequate medi-
cal care for all the people. There
must be national planning and appro-
pirate Legislation. Plans must be
national in scope and must provide
for the physical facilities for medical
care, the financial resources for as
surng social security for the sick as
well as adequate professional services.
"The cost of medical care should be
lowered so that it is within the reach
of that large part of the population
which has less than 81 500 income.
"rhe hospital facilities and avail
able professional services should be
distributed more equitably so that
there is not such competition in some
areas that the doctor and nurse can
not make a reasonable income while
other areas are left entirely without
hospitals or expert medical service
within easy call.
Government Assistance Is Imperative
"We recognize several complica
tions. The average cost of medical
care would not be staggering to the
family Of ayaraya INCOME ITpfor