The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1952-12-12
Ill. HEALTH, EDUCATION AND
WELFARE
By RICHARD N. BAISDEN
Part ID

areas are inadequate on both tn,
state and national level, there il
some fear that the new Republican
Administrations will either reduce
their scope or at least prevent then
liberalization to meet the expanding
needs of the people.
A. Health-The quantity of medi-
cal and health care in Montana is
small in comparison with that avail
able in other states. Many rural areas
are completely without the services of
a doctor. Public health facilities are
also scant and they serve only one
out of every six people in the state.
The preventative aspects of health
are especially lacking.
The State Board of Health would
like to expand the health services
provided by the state. Although it
should be pointed out that the Board
does not provide curative medicine,
it should have greatly increased ap-
preparations for the next two years
in order that it may provide more
public health programs such as i'm
mutation, well-baby clinics, and
visiting nurses.
1t is hoped that all groups will
urge state legislators to support
more funds and other changes which
will assist the Board of Public Health
in its work.
Another state organization which
should have the cooperation of all
liberal groups is the Montana Health
Planning Council. 1t is an organi-
cation which was established to make
close study of all recommendation
for change in the health and medi-
cal field. All major organizations in
the state are entitled to repre-
sentative, but unfortunately several
important groups have failed to make
use of this sounding board of new
ideas.
B. Education In a democracy
where the people have the right to
govern themselves, it is especially
necessary that the citizens be we'll |
educated.
Labor played an important part in |
the development of the free public |
school system. 1t still has an import
ant stake in the schools. since it fur
nishes large. proportion of the chill
dren who attend. In spite of these
facts, labor does not now take suf-
ficient interest in education Labor
people seldom serve on Boards of
Education. As a result, many import
ant subjects are not discussed in the
schools. Among these are the con-
tribution made by organized labor,
co-operatives, and many others. In
addition, the schools are now being
attacked successfully by conservative
groups such as the NAM. The situa-
ton in Pasadena was cited as a good
example of a conservative victory.
c. Social Security-Meagre as the
benefits in this field now are, a drive
will probably be launched to reduce
them further. Liberals must counter
with a program of expansion that
can be proposed to take up some of
the slack when our expenditures for
defense are reduced. Special consid-
GRAFTON should be given to:
/. Medical care = Although many
unions have been negotiating medi-
cal benefits with the employer, these
plans only cover little over 1870
of the nations total expenditures on
health. Only four states have gen
eral disability laws. II
2. Old age-The benefits paid UNI
der the old age and survivors in
surance program average only SAP
per month. In terms of purchasing
power, these benefits are less than
in 1910.
3. Unemployment compensation
Montana has one of the least ade-
quate laws in the nation. There is a
two week waiting period before an
person may collect any
thing. The maximum benefit is $40 |
per week and this may only be col
ected for 10 weeks. The average
benefit in Montana is $3.50 as com
pared with nationwide average of
S2109.
W. GOVERNMENT TAXATION II
AND SPENDING II