Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-09

good for millions of Americans
would be good for all.
Opposes SOciaIized Medicine
I am opposed to socialized
medicine
l am equally strongly in favor
'of a program TO make compre-
hensive private health insurance
available en- a voluntary basis to
all Americans, SO that no Amer
lean will be denied good medical
care for financial reasons.
There are many ways in which
this could be accomplished. /
would, as President, urge upon
Congress the immediate consid-
Grafton of the various proposals
which have been made to achieve
this end. And l would urge full
consideration of the views of al
|concerned-the medical profess
sion. insurance experts, repre-
sentatlVes Of the groups which
would benefit from the program.
But I would insist that it is as
ia practicable and an essential
lobjective: To make comprehen-
Isive health insurance available
and attainable to every one.
1t is clear that some form of
Federal aid will be required to
achieve this goal. This might
take the form of long term in
Understanding loans. as pro-
proposed by Senator Hubert
Humphrey, to cooperative. la
Dor and other groups desirious
OF getting started on group
health insurance programs. This
approach would help to meet
the needs of groups who are not
now covered and who only need
capital to get their programs
underway.
Grants-in-Aid Suggested
Some of the Federal aid might
take the form of matchine
grants TO the States to pay part
of the costs Of voluntary health
insurance for low-income fami-
lies and individuals. The prin-
ciple which should guide us in
our medical practice and our
humanitarian philosophy of
Government, that those who can
pay their own way should, that
those who can pay a major part
should pay that part, and that
those who can pay little or Moth
ing should pay what they can and
Should be assisted with the rest.
The administration of the pro-
gram should rest with the States.
The Federal Government would
assure itself, before making
grants available, that the insur-
ance policies meet certain stand
ards. that they provide, in short,
truly comprehensive protection.
No one would be compelled TO
obtain this protection. but / am
confident that most people would
wish to take advantage of it.
Freedom Of Choice Assured
There would be no restriction
on the individuals freedom TO
choose his own doctor.
This program involves Federal
aid. In the course of our history
many Of our great social adj
yances have come in this way.
We have subsidized homestead
ers, thus building and strength
ening a free agriculture; we have
subsidized education, thus build
ing and strengthening free So
ciety; we have as a people con-
trlbuted to our own economic
growth by subsidies to railroads.
shipping lines, air transport. the
development Of power, thus
oullolng and strengthening free
enterprise.
There is nothing more basic
than the health of the American
people, nothing more important
10 their future welfare and hap
piness and equality OF oppor-
tunity.
1t is time now to take this
step forward and 70 use the
resources Of the Government OF
the people for the peoples
health. We shall discover that
this, too, will strengthen the
foundation Of freedom and be
another demonstration 10 the
world Of the marvellous ability
Of free people TO adapt its in
stitutions TO humanitarian pur-
poses.