Evening star., 1949-05-23
Health Hearing Opens
with Plea 10 Approve
Truman Program

Senate hearings on President
TrumAns health insurance pro-
gram started today with ar ad-
ministration claim thA, 1t Is the
only alternative 10 state medicine
J. Donald Kingsley. acting Fed
eral Security administrator. said
the Nation already Is supporting q
huge program OF state medicine
with an estimated $4,000 900
citizens receiving various kinds OF
Federal medical care.
7 am firmly and honestly con-
vinced Mr. Kingsley told q
Senate Labor subcommittee that
nothing short OF the social in
surance method can prevent the
further-and eventually the com
Decentralization OF state for
private medicine.
On the other hand. ! believe
that social insurance can prevent
II, because it would establish
exactly the thing that has always
been lacking and which has rem
dered private medicine incapa Die
OF doing the full job.
Other Proposals Criticized.
That is. q sound. Arm. reliable
economic foundation on which
private medicine can expand and
flourish"
Mr.. kingsley's prepared state
ment said other proposals before
the committee rely in effect II
not In purpose upon public charity
"A medical dole
"All the history OF health in
surance proves. 1t seems TO me,
he added. that II one OF our OBJ
jectives Is the prevention OF state
medicine then we ought to be ex-
tremely wary Of proposals that We
merely go wading in health insur-
ance now.
For II experience has shown
anything. 1t is that the stream is
deep and you either swim or else.
Little Chance Of Quick Action.
The issue Of how TO go about
providing medical, and hospital
care on a broader basis Is one OF
the most controversial TO come be-
fore Congress in a long time.
There Is hardly any chance the
legislators will take any final &C
ton at this session. The calendar
is too crowded with other matters.
But q House committee already
has started public hearings and
the Senate subcommittee plans to
hear witnesses for the next six
weeks or so.
The idea Is for both branches
OF Congress to De ready with
legislation this fall If there should
be q special session. or in Janu-
ary at the next regular session.
Mr.. Kingsley spoke for the ad-
ministration's program. which
would finance Nation wide health
activities with payroll tax.
Next on the list OF witnesses
were the chief sponsors of the
three opposition measures-Sen-
ators Taft. Republican. Of Ohio:
Hill. Democrat. OF Alabama, and
Lodge, Republican. of Massachu-
sets.
Later in the week officials of
the American Medical Association
will testify. The ANA is vigorous
ly opposed to the Truman pay
roll insurance plan. Witnesses
who favor 1t also will appear.
Senator Thomas. Democrat. OF
Utah. chief Senate sponsor OF the
administration plan, said he vel
comes the public hearings be
cause I feel most people don't
understand the Presidents pro-
gram" He added:
1T has suffered at the hands
Of q lobby which has cried social
lied medicine when there isn't
any basis for that charge"
Here, briefly. are the four pro-
grams before the Senate subcom-
mittee:
The administration plan - it
calls for a payroll tax OF per
cent. split between worker and
employer. on income up to $4,000
q year, and an additional con-
tribution out OF general tax re-
ceipts, sponsors estimate the pro-
gram would cover about 100 ,00o.-
900 Americans at an annual cost
of about $1,000 900 900. The fam
lilies of all contributing wage
earners would be eligible for COM
plete medical and hospital care.
Doctors could choose their pa
tients, and patients their doctors.
The Taft plan-It provides for
upward of $3.50 .000. 900 in Fed
eral grants to States over the
first five years. The grants would
have to be matched locally. The
money would be spent on medical
and hospital care for those who
could not otherwise afford ade-
quate care. Provision Is made for
bringing existing voluntary health