Evening star., 1960-08-16
AGED
Continued From First Page

OOntlnueQ from FlrSt rage
general revenues to help A.
nance State plans.
The Democratic liberals are
said to be working on a ccm-
posite plan which would estab-
lish a social security payroll
tax system of health insurance
for those still at work. and re-
tain the Federal-State aid
plan for other elderly persons
who are not eligible for social
security or financially able to
meet their medical expenses.
Senator Gore said he believes
the medical care fight will pro-
vide the most dramatic and
hard-fought battle of this short
session, surprising in impcr-
tance the controversy over the
minimum wage. housing and
school construction bills.
Eisenhower Position Noted
The Eisenhower administra-
ton, the House and the Senate
Finance Committee are all
lined up against adding medi-
cal care to the social security
system.
Although the President. the
House and the Senate COM
mittee differ over details, each
is in favor of limiting congress
sional action to Federal grants
in support of State laws.
Under the House bill the
Federal Government would
meet from so to IS per cent of
the cost. depending on the per
capita income of each State.
The Senate committee on Sat-
urday took the House principle,
but increased the Federal share
from so to 80 per cent.
Herbert G. Klein, press Sec
retary to Mr.. Nixon, said yes
terday the Vice President wants
the committee bill amended to
bring it closer to the admins
tration bill. The adrninistra-
ton proposed that the Federal
share range from one-third in
the wealthier States to two
thirds in the poorer States. The
administration also called for
sitter eligibility requirements,
including an annual fee Of S24
for an individual to enroll in
the plan.
Kerr Outlines Arguments
Although the issue may not
reach the Senate floor until
next week, the opposing sides
began to debate it yesterday.
Senator Kerr, Democrat Of
Oklahoma, led off with a Wig
orouS defense of the Finance
Committee plan, which he CO.
sponsored.
He said the committee bill
would enable every State that
wants to do so to take care of
every individual IS or over who
needs help in meeting hospital
or doctor bills. whether they
are on social security, old-age
assistance or neither.
During two hours of debate
it was apparent that Senator
Kerr has the support of most
of the Southern Democrats and
Republicans.
Senator Kerr stressed the
point that under the committee
bill the Federal Government
could begin making payments
in October to support State
plans, whereas none of the
social security systems could be
inaugurated before next year
Anderson Challenges Method
The Oklahoman emphasized
that his plan has bipartisan
support. and probably would be
signed by the President.
Senator Smathers, Democrat
of Florida, asked him if the
Finance Com mittee was
prompted by a belief that !:
was better to get some medical
care plan without delay than
to get "a political issue result
ing from a possible veto" OF
the social security approach
Senator Kerr agreed.
Senators Anderson, Demo-
crat Of New Mexico, and Gore
challenged the adequacy of the
Federal-State grant method.
Both said it would require
} elderly citizens to take a means
test, and Senator Gore calico