Evening star., 1960-04-06

ers union, accused the admin
istration of outright betrayal"
of elderly citizens by a shame
full surrender to the American
Medical Association and to
the insurance companies. Mr..
Carey Endorsed the Forand bill
as the only proper and ad-
equate approach to solve the
problem of health insurance for
the aged.
1T is distressing to note the
position of the Eisenhower ad-
ministration," Mr.. Carey said"
which seems intent upon study
ing this problem to death and
which opposes any social Sc
curity approach to the prob
lens"
The President has not hesi-
tated to use all the benefits of
State medicine provided to his
Office. Why the President seems
to feel that outright socialized
medicine is good for him but
that limited health coverage
through the social security sys-
TEN is bad for our older citi-
zens is beyond my understand
ing"
Mr.. Carey's attack on the
administration touched off an
angry exchange with Senate
Republican Leader Dirksen, a
subcommittee member. The ILL
nois Senator denounced the
Carey charges as "a shameful
and sinking statement" Ear
lier this week Senator Dirksen
characterized similar state
mentS by United Auto Workers
President Walter P. Reuther
as sinking"
Mr.. Carey complained that
Secretary Flemming has been
obliged by the administration
Ito operate under restrictions
that are not entirely fair to
him."
He said the subcommittee
hearings have been complicated
by three different Republican
points of view. He described
these as a do-nothing stand by
Senator Dirksen, a desire by
Secretary Flemming to do as
much as he could within ad-
ministration limitations, and a
White House attitude to rely
merely on further studies and
make Secretary Flemming an
explorer"
Mr.. Flemming's prepared
statement defended the admin
istrations' efforts and studies
to ease the cost of medical care
of aged persons. He noted that
a White House Conference on
Aging will be held next Janu-
airy. But he emphasized that
the administration is not fall
ing down on its responsibility
to cope with the problem now.
Before arriving at final
conclusion as to whether the
Federal government can devise
a practical program, Mr.. Flem-
ming said, "it is going to be
necessary for us to explore
further some complex issues.
I'VE have for example been
exploring the kinds and dura-
tion of health care services
that might be financed through
such a program. In addition &c
care in general hospitals we are
considering the need for COW
erage of the costs of care in
chronic disease hospitals,
skilled nursing homes, and Or
ganized nursing services in the
patients owned home.
I'VE are also exploring the
feasibility of providing some
protection against the costs OF
expensive prescribed drugs. We
have been looking into the pos
sibility of applying the deduct
able principle which has been
used widely in many insurance
plans.
A spokesman for the Demo-
cratic Study Group. consisting
of more than 100 House Demo-
cratic liberals, issued a state
ment today affirming its deter
mination to enact this year a
workable, responsible program"
despite the House committee S
recent vote against taking up
the Forand bill.
The statement was issued by
Representative Machrowicz,
Democrat of Michigan, a Ways
and Means Committee menI-
ber who is chairman of the
Democratic Study Groups so
l. cial security task forcP"