The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-12-15

dASG AO4OC AA4NC- pendent of the rate on old age insurance.
 Both parties and leaders-Presi- dent Roosevelt and Governor Dewey are agreed that old age insurance and unemployment compensation should be given to farmers and farm workrs, domestic workers, em- ployes of non-profit enterprises and many government employees, and old age insurance to the Self-employed.
 These were omitted from the 1885 law and the 1889 amendment on the ostensible theory that 1t would be unworkably difficult to collect the necessary taxes and reports from farmers, householders and the self" employed.
 Some, cynicS perhaps, wondered whether there was also dread that farmers and householders = very numerous classes might resent having to pay the tax and make the reports and might take revenge at the polls.
 It now seems agreed that it is safe desirable and administratively feas. ible to bring in these forgotten men and women. Governor Dwey's strong advocacy of the step removes nkeli- hood of partisan split. It's prob able that the new Congress next year will make the change.
 BOTH PARTIES ADVOCATE HEALTH INSURANCE
 President Roosevelt, Governor Dewey and both their parties agree, to, upon desirability of a program of health insurance One was pro- vided for in the Wagner Murray Dingel1 bill.
 That measure followed quite closely the recommendations of the Social Security Board. It provided for a thorough overhauling and CO., ordination of Social Security. It would have extended old age insur- ance and unemployment compen- sation to the groups mentioned.
 But - and here controversy arose it would have taken the unem- ployment compensation system from the states and given it, along with public employment services, to the federal government.
 The bill would have set up a fed- eral health and disqualification pro- gram automatically and compulsory covering all who were in the old age Insurance system.
 To finance the change made, among which health and hospital ization insurance was most import ant, the present top per cent social security tax would have been raised to l2 pr cent for those in private employment, of which employer and employe would each pay half.
 The self-employed, excluded from unemployment protection, would have been taxed per cent. State and local employe groups could come in if they chose; if they did, employer and employe would reach pay 3 i-z per cent. The Treasury would make up any deficit that might develop, , THE DOCTORS HOWLED
 OPPOSITION
 The medical profession howled with rage at the Wagner-Murray- Dingell bill, which the doctors said would completely socialize their profession, Republicans, in general agree with the doctors and oppose the bill.
 So although everybody that mat teFs politically is in favor of health and hospitalization insurance, you can count on bitter fight on what eyer bills may come up before the 18th Congress,
 And if a health and insurance measure providing benefits proposed by the WagneF-Murray- -Dingell bill IS adopted, you must pay fo" your share in 1t with 'aH 'n 3e that won't be far from per cent.
 That is, if rcsfiJp-.,.- d old age insurance is retained, plus health and disqualification lnsuF- ance, the amount deducted from each dollar of your wage is going to be neareF 6 cents than the 1 cent you have been contributing UP to now,