Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-28
Uphill Struggle
Facing Health
.Insura nce Plan
BY ROBERT X. WALSH

BY ROBERT X. WALSH
The administrations proposals
or any other plans for health
insurance will stay alive only
LII they survive several conflict
ing diagnoses after Congress re-
turns next week.
The doctor" on whom the
iresuscitation or recovery may
ultimately depend in this case
lis Secretary Folsom of the
Health. Education and Welfare
Department.
Complaints Heard
But already at the Capitol
some practically chrenic COM
plants ale heard that the gen.
eral remedies he recently out
lined are:
l. Too weak to strengthen,
much less cure, a situation
which often makes for misery
and excessive expense in many
families.
2. An entering wedge for
lsocialized medicine.
3. A move that could even
ltually hamstring private enter
prise in general and the msur-
lance business in particular.
4. A set-up which conceivably
could run afoul of the Federal
ANTITRUST laws,
On top of those diverse appre-
tensions is an objection, offered
lin some Democratic congressional
quarters on the basis of adj
lmittedly incomplete returns that
the Eisenhower administrations
intended recommendations for
l956-as outlined by Mr.. Folsom
last week - are essentially the
same as. those of last January.
The probable changes, accord
ling to those doubling expecta-
lions, would emphasize health
reinsurance. revisions In several
specific areas rather than any
basic new method Of providing
added and adequate protection
against illness and disability.
History Offers Little Hope
The legislative history Of health
insurance plans is not hopeful.
"A far less extensive program
President Eisenhower recon-
mended in 1854 was rejected by
the House, 283 to 1874.
Neither the House nor Senate
ior any congressional committee
acted on such a measure at the
1855 session. The House Com
merce Committee held a few
hearings, marked mainly by a
wrangle over whether the Sug-
gestion smacked OF socialized or
Iunsocialized medicine.
In the 1856 session the story
might be different, principally
because Of:
/. Mr.. Folsom. and whatever
powers Of persuasion he can
bring to bear on differing opin-
ions in Congress, the administra-
ton and insurance business.
2. The more obvious need for
of some sort, in view
of the impact Of heavy medical
costs on families.
3. The probable desire Of
health insurance advocates Of
both parties in an elections year
to press for adoption of some
plan.
Cooperation Sought
4. The efforts made mainly by
MIR. Folsom in recent months to
convince private insurance COM
panies that they owe it to them
selves. the general public, and
the national welfare TO cooper
ate with the Government in
broadening the whole field Of
voluntary health insurance.
Mr.. Eisenhower made clear last
January that his recommended
ton to Congress involved no
Government subsidy and no Gov
Iernment competition with pri-
waite insurance companies. He
suggested that private organiza-
itions share the risks" and he
urged Congress to authorize a
reasonable capital fund" for
health reinsurance service.
This, he explained, would be
used as might be deemed neces-
Isary to provide protection
against high costs of severe or
prolonged illness, coverage of in
dividuals and families in pre-
dominently rural areas, and pro-
lection of families and individ-
iualS of average or lower than
average income against costs in
house and Office calls by doctors
as well as at hospitals.
Defended by Mrs. Hobby
HIS overall program, which in
icluded many other features, was
attacked by some Democratic
leaders and others in Congress
as Inadequate" At House Com
merce Committee hearings last
spring. the health reinsurance
approach was defended by Mrs.
Oveta Culp Hobby, then HEW
Secretary, as an essential ad-
DEDODT