BLUE CROSS AND PRIVATE HEALTH OLDER AMERICANS A REPORT BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING UNITED STATES SENATE TOGETHER WITH MINORITY AND INDIVIDUAL VIEWS 33-918 JULY 1964 L.... Printed for the use of the Special Committee on Aging U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1964 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL U.S. SENATE, July 21, 1964. Hon. GEORGE A. SMATHERS, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report evaluating Blue Cross and other private health insurance programs for older Americans. The report expresses the unanimous views of the majority members of the Subcommittee on Health of the Elderly. Minority views are also included. Private health insurance is an important and valuable means of financing part of the medical care costs for part of our older population. The current report represents a major effort by the subcommittee to determine the present and potential ability of the private health insurance industry to meet the health care financing needs of our elderly citizens. This report should be of assistance to the Members of the Congress in their consideration of legislative approaches designed to help older people meet the heavy expenses of health care. With all good wishes. Sincerely, PAT MCNAMARA, Chairman. Subcommittee on Health of the Elderly. CONTENTS Chapter I-The number of older people covered by health insurance_- Surveys to determine the number of aged insured.- Termination of health insurance_ Chapter II-Adequacy of hospital insurance for the elderly. Significance of hospital insurance.. Standard of adequacy of hospital insurance. Proportion of the elderly with "adequate" hospital insurance.. Minority views of Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen, Senator Barry 1. Bankers Life & Casualty Co.--. 3. Fireman's Fund Insurance Co__. 4. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co.. Appendix B-Responses to subcommittee questionnaires received from V |