Evening star., 1955-11-28

the many kinks in the plan cal
time to get agreement from all
with some of the programs pre-
ardize the plans chances with
President Eisenhower sent
Congress shortly before it ad-
journed this year, but revisions
are expected to be submitted to
Capitol Hill when Congress re-
turns in January.
The administrations proposal
that Federal employees pay two
thirds of the cost of the pro-
lgram-$104 o year for those
with families and $50 for single
employes--has been criticized by
Government employe union Of
|ficials. The union leaders want
the Government to at least
match the employees contribu-
ltions on q $3.50 basis.
On this basis, the employees
with families would pay $T8 and
THE governnient would con-
tribute $7S. Single employees
would pay sac and the Govern
ment s2s.
The House and Senate Civil
Service Committees which ham
die the legislation appear fav-
Iorably inclined to Q $3.50 con-
|tribution plan, instead Of the ad-
|ministration's original proposal.
And administration officials In
dicate they will not object II
Congress decides on this more
liberal plan.
A more thorny problem yet to
be solved Is the type of health
medical plans to offer Federal
Iemployes and-their families. The
various group health associa-
ltions. insurance companies and
Federal empolye unions which
have their own plans for their
members, are jockeying for the
business that would accrue from
such q program. ALI are fearful
that the other competing COM
IpanieS viii get the bulk Of the
business.
Also. fear Is expressed by the
lpriyate groups that the Govern.
Iment's comprehensive health
medical program for employees
who wish to be covered by a
Federally operated plan might
cost them the business of some
lof their present subscribers who
are Government employees. The
administrators plan would give
employees the right to join OF
continue under privately -oper-
ated health plans or to partici-
pate in q Government operated
program. or not to participate In
any program at all.
Civil Service Commission ofii-
cials working on the health
insurance program have invited
officials Of the various health.
medical groups such as Blue
Cross and Blue Shield, insur.
ance companies, Federal eInploys
unions and others interested In
the program to confer with
them. The sessions win take
place during the next few weeks
csc oficials say they expect
la satisfactory solution can be
worked out that will be agree.
able to oil and pave the way fol
action BY Congress next year.
NICE GESTURE - Mary e
lSwitzer. director Of the Depart
Iment Of Health. Education and
Welfare's Once of Vocational
Rehabilitation and an outstand-
ling public servant. came home
last week from st. Louis where
she was nonored as winner oi
the annual Presidents Award Of
the National Rehabilitation As
sociation. In accepting the
award ''for outstanding achieve.
lment IN advancing rehabilita.
Ition Of the handicapped. Mis-
lSwitzer did so on behalf Of all
Iher employees and "all the other,
who have helped us In the battle
Ito make a better life for the
Handicapped"
| On her return, Miss Switzel
called q meeting Of all her en-
lployes, displayed the awards
Igold plaQue-and told the staff
l"It's yours: so come in and en-
| Joy 1t whenever you want to-"
STATE DEPT. PLANS-Tht
lState Department has asked tht
Budget Bureau to approve anC
submit to Congress In Januar,
Its request for 1000 additiona
Jobs. About 1000 of the job
would be filled by American
and 400 by foreign nationals.
I ~ + -
! PRAISE--Philip Young, Civi
Service Commission Chairman
has praised the National Civi
Service Leagues selection O
csc official Warren Irons as on,
of the 10 outstanding Fedora
career employees who win be hon
lored at a dinner Friday nigh
EDnD r