Evening star., 1949-04-23
Rough and Slow Going
For Health Program
In Congress Forecast
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President Trumans national
health insurance program TO pro-
vide medical and hospital care for
millions of Americans faces rough
and slow going in Congress
But some critics OF that plan
predicted that the general idea
contained In the rest OF Mr., Thu
mans far-reaching health pro-
gram probably will be translated
into Law after a thorough going
study.
Besides the national insurance
plan. the program the President
sent to Congress yesterday calls
for:
Special financial aid TO help
medical schools expand. increased
aid for construction of hospitals
and other medical facilities, and
more money for the public health
preventive and disease control
services.
Reaction Follows Usual Pattern
Mr.. Truman has called for a
system of prepaid insurance many
times before. and the general re-
action for and against the plan
followed pretty much the same
pattern this time.
Critics said II would lead to
socialized and nationalized medi-
cine. Friends OF the plan con-
tended 1t is the only way 10 pro-
vide adequate medical and hos
pital care for all.
The administration Is expected
to send q bill covering the whole
program to the Capitol Monday
Persons familiar with 1t said the
program would work this way:
Wage earners and salaried
workers generally would be taxed
about Ia per cent OF their In
come up to $4,000 a year. En-
ployers would have to match that
amount.
Hence. . worker making $4,000
o year would have s72 year
deducted from his pay. His en-
ployer would be taxed an equal
amount. A worker who made
only $2,40o a year would be taxed
only half as much-s36 a year,
The employers contribution would
be halved. too.
Applies TO Entire Family.
The self-employed would have
to pay the entire tax-about . per
cent on the first $4,000 OF income
While only the breadwinners OF
a family would be taxed. the
insurance protection would apply
TO every member OF the family.
Social Security officials who
drafted the program estimated
the cost OF the insurance feature
at between $4,000. 900 900 and se.-
000. .00o, 900 a year.
The tax system would operate
like the present social security
program. which ievies 2 per cent
on the first $1,000 OF annual In
come. split between workers and
employers.
Mr.. Truman has proposed boost
ing the social security tax 70 a
total of per cent and has offered
other plans for disability benefits
and the like.
Social Security Commissioner
Arthur j. Altmeyer said all these
programs. II adopted. might even
tualiy cost up to SIT 500 900 900 a
year. with q payroll tax Of IL TO
Is per cent.
Senate Hearings Planned.
Senator Murray. Democrat. OF
Montana. told q reporter Senate
Labor and Public Welfare Sub
committee he heads win meet next
Wednesday to arrange for hear
ings on the administration health
bill and other measures which
have been introduced In the same
field.
Senator Murray estimated the
hearings. which probably viii
start week after next. viii run for
six weeks TO two months.
Even though the Senate won't
get q bin before the latter part Of
june under that program. Senator
Murray said he Is optimistic about
the chances for congressional ae-
ton during this session. The tar
get date for adjournment Is July
81, but the lawmakers may stay
on or come back for . special ses-
sion.
His optimism wasn't shared By
some other Senators. both foes
and hackers Of the Presscenss
program
Senators Taft Of Ohio and
Smith OF New Jersey. Republican
SPONSORS Of an aic-so-States SUBJ
xtifute for the administration bill.
said 1t is practically certain that
Congress wont get around 70 final
ACTION on q general health pro-