Evening star., 1949-05-01
Con-. =.

Under compulsory health insur-
ance. say its opponents. voluntary
plans would be dead.
People who already were pay
ing for complete medical care
would be reluctant to join volun-
tary plans, even to supplement
. many services the Government
could not provide. Under COM
plete coverage by sickness insur-
Iance," there obviously would be
no need for voluntary plans.
I The leaders of voluntary plans
realize their deficiencies. But the
tremendous growth of the volun-
tary enrolment movement during
the last decade indicates its
strength and its acceptance by a
vast segment of the public. Lead
ers realize these plans must in
crease benefits and make par
ticipation policies more liberal.
! But these are evolutionary de-
velopmentS, which no more can
be done overnight than can the
Government live up to its lavish
promises.
Several Programs Under Way.
Several important programs to
bring about these Developments
already are under way.
The largest Is formation of a
National Blue Cross company.
which will offer standard bene-
fits and rates on a National basis.
It's development has been spurred
by rapid growth of huge indus
trial health and welfare funds.
Such benefits are an increasingly
essential part of current National
labor union demands. With a
stabilization of the price spiral,
they are certain to become more
important.
At present, Blue Cross hospital
prepayment plan) is not in a posi-
ton to offer a National contract
with standard rates and benefits.
Industries demand uniform rates
and benefits for all their employees,
wherever they are, under such a
contract. But rates and benefits
vary in different areas, according
to local plans that cover them.
Company Planned.
So the Blue Cross Commission
plans to form a company which
could subsidize-with cash pay
ments-benefits in plans below a
set standard. 1t then would be
able to quote a standard rate for
the widespread coverage. The
commission has asked member
plans for contributions to raise a
$500.000 fund for it's operations.
The company later will have to
qualify as an insurance carrier
In States. N
Failure Of the American Medi-
cal Association to indorse this Ma
tional program for medical care
has restricted the project thus
far to disqualification coverage.
But after the company is formed.
officials hope the medical groups
will join.
But the plans are not only for
middle income groups, able to pay
rates. Under other bills already
introduced in Congress. States
could buy this protection on
voluntary basis for residents un-
able to afford it themselves.
Bluntly blaming the attitude
of organized medicine for many
past deficiencies, DR.. Paul R.
Hawley. Blue Cross and Blue
Shield head, said voluntary plans
which give full protection against
hospital costs are mot only pos
sible but most desirable" While
such protection against doctors
bills Is not yet possible. medical
plans are making rapid strides.
Two Factors Listed.
Two factors make medical care
an ideal risk for insurance. DR..
Hawley declared. One is that it
is a necessity. The other is that
its need can be predicted with
reasonable accuracy in the mass.
But it is one Of the few necessities
which can't be planned for indi-
viduals.
"The inescapable fact" he de-
clared, sis that people will spend
almost their last cent for auto
mobiles and fur coats. and lay
nothing by for unexpected neces-
sites. I don't believe that the
medical profession or any one else
can change human nature to the
extent of persuading any great
number of people to budget per-
sonally for medical care"
Voluntary plan leaders believe
their greatest job is one Of educa-
ton. They point out enrolment
in the plans has grown from l6.-
000,000 in January. l945. to more
than 10000. 900 at present. Mil
lions of other persons are covered
through cash indemnity payments
in case of sickness by commercial
insurance firms.
Field Service Authorized.
Blue Cross officials have author
lied a field service to help improve
operative efficiency of member
plans. Their sights are aimed at
National enrolment program
that would accept enrolment from
individuals. regardless of whether
they belonged to employe groups.
The commission is working on
an Inter Plan Service Benefit
Bank. This bank will reimburse
plans which pay hospitals in their
communities for treating persons
enrolled in Blue Cross plan else
where.
In stating his case for the VOL
untary plans. DR.. Hawley said:
so long as the consumer does
not dictate the pattern Of medical
practice. as long as he does not
set the costs. ! believe him to be
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