The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-16
Reviewed by Sen. Maurine
B. Neuberger

Medical and health care costs now
total over $25 billion annually and
take ga per cent of our nations total
gross national product.
These figures are likely to rise,
with medical care costs since World
War III increasing far more rapidly
than the general cost of living. In the
last decade the increase was twice as
fast as all prices and between June
1853 and June 1860 the rate was
three and half times. The American
people are showing growing concern
with the organization and financing
of medical care.
To help supply some of the answers
in this complex field, Mr.. and Mrs.
Herman Somers have written a par
ticularly valuable and penetrating
analysis of the organization, distribu-
ton, and financing of personal medi-
cal care. / do not believe that anyone
should argue the pros and cons of the
Kennedy Administration proposed
health coverage legislation for the
retired under the social security sys-
tenn until he has read this book.
The problem of providing adequate
health coverage for the aged has
aroused public opinion and contro-
versy. The aged in the population are
increasing at the rate of more than
1000 per day and by 1910 there will
be nearly 20 million persons So and
over.
Three-fifths of the aged had less
than $1,000 in total income in
1858, according to the Bureau of
the Census, and nearly four-fifths
had income of less than $4,000 the
same year.
In a well-reasoned chapter the
Somers argue that the social security
financed health coverage will best
meet the needs of the aged. They
point out that meaningful insurance
must meet at least rs per cent of an
aged persons health expenses and
should embrace 85 per cent of the
aged population. They also argue that
it is unreasonable to expect older
persons to spend more than IL per
cent of their incomes for medical
care, which is double the national
average. The husband and wife team
says:
''The probable average level pre-
MUM required for rs per cent pro-
lection with IL per cent of income |
would exclude more than three-quart-
ers of this age group. This makes no
allowance for the additional 25 per
cent costs to be met out of pocket.
Even allowing a substantial margin
for error. the situation reveals a
dead end"
DR.. Basil G. Mclean, recently re-
tired president of the Blue Gross
Association, is quoted as saying that
"a lifetime's experience has led me
at last to conclude that the costs of
care for the aged cannot be met, I'M
aided, by the mechanisms of insur-
ance or prepayment as they exist
,oday. The aged simply cannot af-
'ord to buy from any of these the
scope of care that is required, nor
10 the stern realities permit any car
Ter, whether nonprofit or CONNER
.ial, to provide benefits which are ,
adequate at price which is feasible
or any but small proportion of the
lged".
One of the most interesting and :
rewarding sections of the book
deals with the changing pattern of 7
medical practice and the doctor
patient relationship. The techno-
logical revolution in medicine, v
growing specialization in the pro- I
fession, the role of clinics and I
combined practice have all done t
much to change the image of the h
doctor-patient relation i!
ship. C
The authors conclude that an in s.
ersion of some popular slogans with +
,spect to the relationship between n
lie quality of medical care, medical Is
nancing and the optimum doctor n
Itient relationship is clearly in order. Il
Federal employees will be treasured