Evening star., 1961-02-09
HEALTH
SocioIized Medicine
j LobeI Is Denied

lis already scheduled. boosting
the tax to $237.50.
President Kennedy last week
proposed in message to Con-
gress five increases in social
security benefits outside the
health field, to be financed by
a one fourth of l per cent in
crease in the social security
tax rate, effective January /,
1868. If that proposal were
accepted, the employees social
security tax would be boosted
$3.50 a year IN every year
beginning with 1858, to a maxi
mum OF S25U a year IN 1869.
The estimates of the Ken
nedy administration are that
the direct costs of the health
care programs will total less
than SIS billion a year, real
lied on a maximum increase in
individual employe taxes of
$3.50 a year.
The scale of benefits pro-
posed today is slightly more re-
stricted than that called for in
the bill Mr.. Kennedy spon-
sored in the Senate last year
with Senator Anderson, Demo-
crat Of New Mexico. But the
Kennedy-Anderson benefits
would have been available only
to those over So, where the new
plan makes those over IS ELI
gible. The Kennedy Anderson
plan was rejected in the Sem
ate by q 51-44 vote.
While rejecting the Kennedy
Anderson plan, Congress last
year authorized Federal grants
to States which wish to provide
health benefits for needy aged
who require welfare assistance.
So far. four States have adopted
such plans.
Needs Of Millions
Mr.. Kennedy said last years
bill recognized the problem"
Of the needy, but added. Nov
we must meet the needs Of
those millions who have no
wish to receive care at the tax
payers expense, but who are
nevertheless staggered by the
drain on their savings - or
those Of their children-caused
by an extended hospital stay.
"One out of five aged cou-
pies drawing social security
benefits must go to the hospi-
tai each year." he said. Half
of those going to hospitals in
cur bills in excess Of $700 a
year. This is over one-third
the total annual income Of a
typical couple, more than a
modest food budget for an en-
tire year. Many simply do not
obtain and cannot afford the
care they need"
Administration officials con-
ceded today that 46 per cent
Of those over IS have some
form Of private health insur-
ance. but they contended that
benefits were far from ade-
quate for their needs.
Other Provisions
The major provisions Of the
remaining five parts Of today's
health message are: ..-.-.
Community Health Services
Citing a shortage of 100000
beds for sick persons who do
not require intensive hospital
care, Mr.. Kennedy asked for
$40 million q year for match
ing grants for construction Of
nursing homes. Administration
officials said it would provide
2,700 more beds Q year.
Noting that "even limited
home nursing services are
available in less than / 900 U. s.
communities" the President
asked $40 million the first year
to stimulate States and COM
munities to develop such pro-
grams and train personnel for
them. He suggested creation
of a new Bureau Of Community
Health in the Public Health
Service to run the program.
Increasing Health Personnel
The President said the ca
pacity Of medical schools must
be increased so per cent and
the capacity of dental schools
100 per cent to maintain the
present ratio Of physicians and
dentists to population. At pres
ent. he said. lack Of funds Is
limiting the expansion of these
schools and shortage Of schol-
arship aid is making it difficult
for the existing schools to at
tract enough qualified students.
In a three-way attack on this
problem, he called for:
/. A $500.000 appropriation
for planning grants to help col
leges design new facilities for
medical and dental schools.
2. A 10 year program of
matching grants totaling $700
million to aid construction. ex-
pansion and restoration Of
medical and dental schools.