Attached hereto, noted as exhibit A and submitted for the record, is a copy of Resolution No. 25, adopted unanimoulsy by some 500 delegates to the fourth annual convention of the Washington State Labor Council held in Yakima, Wash., July 10-13, 1961. RESOLUTION No. 25 (Adopted by unanimous vote July 13, 1961, Fourth Annual Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Yakima, Wash.) Whereas the average old-age and survivors insurance benefit for people past 65 years of age is only $74 per month in spite of improvements labor has helped obtain three out of five aged persons have an income of less than $1,000 a year; and Whereas commercial health insurance is unavailable in most cases and too expensive in any case for most of the aged; and Whereas practically no health insurance that they could possibly afford covers the long duration, very expensive catastrophic and terminal illnesses so common to our aged; and Whereas at present most States provide very meager, if any, medical assistance to the aged; and Whereas President Kennedy's health plan (the King bill, H.R. 4222) now before Congress would provide for the major hospital, nursing home, and diagnostic services required by our aged people at a cost of approximately $1 per month to each employed person covered by old-age and survivors insurance; and Whereas congressional hearings will be held soon on H.R. 4222 and every working person should let their viewpoint be known on this all-important bill to their own and their elderly relatives' welfare: Therefore be it Resolved, That the Washington State Labor Council in Convention at Yakima, Wash., on July 13, 1961, urges the prompt passage of H.R. 4222 amended so as to eliminate the deductible amounts now proposed; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each member of our congressional delegation and the President of the United States; and be it further Resolved, That each affiliated union and each union member be encouraged to also write their congressional delegation urging the prompt passage of H.R. 4222. Hon. WILBUR D. MILLS, VIRGINIA STATE AFL-CIO, Richmond, Va., August 17, 1961. Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, New House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: I would like to file the following statement in support of the Anderson-King bill to provide medical care for the aged. Here in Virginia there are nearly 300,000 persons age 65 or over whose average monthly old-age benefits are only $65. Certainly, one must realize that $65 a month will not buy the necessities of life much less provide for medical and doctor's care in time of illness and to show that the Commonwealth of Virginia is not making the effort to provide for these citizens the record shows that the public welfare in Virginia had an expenditure of only $7 per capita while the national average was $23. With the per capital income as low as it is in this State it often makes it impossible for the relatives of the aged to give any assistance. Therefore, I know that there are many aged citizens who are in need of medical care, but have no way to obtain it. Of course, when a citizen gets far enough along with his illness there may be some charitable organization that will assist, but certainly there are too many cases for the charitable organizations to take care of all of them. According to the figures we have, if the Anderson-King bill is passed, by 1963 approximately 225,000 persons could receive health benefits at a cost of about $14 million. The support for this bill is not just the leaders of our State organization and to show this I am enclosing a copy of a resolution which was unanimously adopted at our 1960 convention. I would like to request that this resolution be made a part of this testimony. In order that our elder citizens may live the few remaining years of their lives in dignity and not have to sign a pauper's oath or make numerous applications to charitable organizations, we urgently request that the Ways and Means Committee concur in the Anderson-King bill. Sincerely yours, H. B. BOYD, President. RESOLUTION No. 16. RESOLUTION ON MEDICAL CARE FOR THE AGED Whereas we believe in the overall objective of the social security system that was stated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in these words: "I see an America where those have reached the evening of their life shall live out their years in peace. in security, where pensions and insurance shall be given as a matter of right to those who through a long life of labor have served their families and their nation so well"; and Whereas the social security system was not designed to be a frozen institution. incapable of expansion to meet broader needs than were first encompassed; and Whereas today over 11 million Americans now draw social security pensions; and Whereas the maximum Federal benefit for a retired couple is $180 a month and the average is about $114, or according to estimated figures by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, three-fifths of those persons 65 and over had incomes less than $1,000 in 1957 and only one-fifth had incomes over $2,000; and Whereas these figures leave no margin for heavy medical expenses, which have risen farther and faster than any other item in our economy; and Whereas a Federal study was made in 1957 that showed of all pensioners who had medical expenses, only 14 percent of the couples and 9 percent of the singles persons drew any insurance benefits whatsoever; and Whereas most of the others were faced with the loss of independence or even pauperism; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That this the Fifth Annual Convention of the Virginia State AFL | CIO go on record in support of a medical aid bill for the aged covered under and financed through increased contributions to our social security system such as provided in the Forand bill (H.R. 4700); and be it further Resolved, That every possible means of communication be used by all our affiliated organizations and their members to inform and urge the Virginia Congressmen and U.S. Senators to vote for and to use their influence in the passage of such vital legislation that would greatly benefit the aging citizens of our Commonwealth and our Nation. Sponsored by Executive Board, Virginia State AFL-CIO. Unanimously adopted by delegates to 1960 convention of Virginia State AFL-CIO. LEO H. IRWIN, PHILADELPHIA AFL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, Chief Counsel, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, DEAR SIR: The AFL Hospital Association as well as the A.F. of L. medical service plan has on previous occasions authorized the Group Health Association of America to express its position on the provisions of medical care through the medium of social security. It is also obvious that the position taken by the national AFL-CIO would also clearly state our feelings on the same subject. The above organizations represent a population of over 75,000 people who are receiving direct medical services through medical centers of their own and are now in the process of building a hospital to provide all necessary hospital, surgical, medical, rehabilitation, psychiatric facilities, etc. While our appearance before your committee might cover additional details in the support of the King-Anderson bill, we feel that, in this way we can help to conserve the valuable time of the committee. We do, however, want again to emphasize that we are unequivocally in support of the testimony that will be given before your committee by the GHAA and the national AFL-CIO. Respectfully submitted. ISIDOR MELAMED, Executive Director. LEO H. IRWIN, THE UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO, Chief Counsel, House Ways and Means Committee, HON. COUNSEL LEO H. IRWIN: I have received your letter in answer to my telegram and was disappointed to find out that my telegram did not meet rules. I am sending this letter according to your suggestion in your answer of July 24, 1961. It has been my duty to act as chairman of Local Union No. 1058, United Steelworkers of America, Hubbard, Ohio, Senior Citizen's Committee, on a voluntary basis, and it is the wish of local union 1058 senior citizen's that I act upon their behalf in requesting that this letter be printed in the record in lieu of a personal appearance. It is my, and the Senior Citizen's Committee of local union 1058 wish, that the Anderson-King bill be favored under social security and that it receives all consideration for passage under social security. As servant of local union 1058, I remain yours sincerely. GEORGE PUTKOVICH, Local Union 1058 Financial Secretary; Local Union 1058, Chairman, Senior Citizen's Committee. STATEMENT OF IRVIN P. SCHLOSS, LEGISLATIVE ANALYST, AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND I am glad to have this opportunity to state the views of the American Foundation for the Blind, the national voluntary research and consultant agency in the field of work for the blind, on H.R. 4222 which is designed to establish an insurance program under the social security system to cover the cost of hospitalization, skilled nursing home services, and home health services for persons 65 and over who are entitled to receive social security retirement pensions. The American Foundation for the Blind believes that this proposed legislation is desirable, timely, and meritorious. The concept of the proposed legislation is sound, practical, and in the best interests of the American people. By making it possible for persons to provide during their optimum years of employment through a contributory insurance plan for their health care needs after retirement age when their income is substantially curtailed, this legislation would enable our senior citizens to receive adequate health care for which they themselves had paid. At present, many older persons must do without the medical care they need because they cannot afford it, or else they must seek it on a charity basis-a demoralizing prospect for an individual who has spent his productive years as a typically independent American citizen contributing to the growth and development of our national economy. The typical retired worker finds himself in a difficult position today. Steadily increasing living costs force him to make every penny of his social security retirement pension stretch as far as it can. He and his wife begin to do without many small pleasures they enjoyed a few short years before the retirement he had so keenly looked forward to. He views with alarm the steadily increasing payments for doctor bills and medicines-expenses not covered in the legislation being considered-as the chronic ailments which attend the aging process become more persistent and frequent. An acute health situation requiring surgery or hospitalization for a period of 2 or 3 weeks arises and virtually wipes out his savings; and as a result, he and his wife live in dread of another similar occurrence because they do not have the financial resources required for today's medical care. I know that the situation I have just described is duplicated many times over in our country today. With an adequate health care insurance program under the social security system, it need not happen. According to the Social Security Administration, more than half a million oldage pension recipients are also receiving public assistance under the aid to the aged program. Similarly, approximately 25,000 recipients of retirement pensions and disability insurance payments have found it necessary to go on the public assistance rolls in the aid to the blind and aid to the permanently and totally disabled categories. There can be no question that the high cost of medical care is a highly significant contributing factor. How much better it would be for the country economically and for the individual psychologically if he received adequate medical care because he had insured himself for it and no longer needed public assistance to make ends meet. Approximately 175,000 blind people-or nearly half of our blind populationare over 65. Many are blind from cataracts and other conditions which fre quently accompany aging. An adequate health care program under the social security system would make many operations for sight restoration possible— operations which just aren't being performed because the people concerned cannot afford them. The American Foundation for the Blind respectfully urges the Committee on Ways and Means to take favorable action on the proposed legislation. ALABAMA LEAGUE OF AGING CITIZENS, INC., Montgomery, Ala., July 18, 1961. Re House bill 4222 (Health Insurance Act of 1961). Chairman WILBUR D. MILLS, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: I am Rubin Morris Hanan, of Montgomery, Ala., where I am engaged in business. I am the president of the Alabama League of Aging Citizens, vice president of the National Association of Senior Citizens of America, member of the Governor's advisory board on aging, ex-vice chairman of the Committee on Aging of the State of Alabama, general executive director of the joint legislative committee of Alabama's pensions and senior citizens organizations, in which capacity I am appealing on behalf of the affiliated membership of 175,000 senior citizens of the State of Alabama and 3 million aged citizens of the National Association of Senior Citizens of America. I urge your favorable consideration of House bill 4222 (Health Insurance Act of 1961). This bill would provide for payment of hospital services, skilled nursing home services, and home health services furnished to aged beneficiaries under the old-age and survivors insurance program, and for other purposes. The economic philosophy of today is based on an economy of abundance due in great measure to the fact that the industrialized nations of the world reached new peaks of production because of foreign aid granted by the Government of the United States of America. Yet, in Alabama, so far as our aging citizens are concerned, in lieu of abundance there is widespread poverty. Many of the aged are poorly housed, undernourished, scantily clad, and lack much-needed medical and nursing care. Since they are no longer wage earners, they have profited little from the industrial boom. To the contrary, they are waging a losing battle as their fixed incomes have been diminished by rising costs. The average income of most of the people in Alabama who are over 65 years of age is so low that they cannot maintain what this Nation generally assumes to be a decent standard of living and good health. After many of Alabama's old folks pay for their housing and utilities and purchase the minimum amount of food required to sustain life, there is little, if any, money left for medical fees and high priced drugs. I can assure the committee that many of our old folks are forced by poverty to do without much needed medical services. A survey made prior to the White House Conference on Aging showed a screaming need for medical care and drugs for Alabama's aged citizens. This survey indicated the average monthly cost of providing the health care actually needed, including dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and drugs, would be approximately $26 per month. This survey also revealed that many elderly persons needed hospitalization or nursing home service, the cost of which is far beyond their meager monthly income of $33, $55 or, at the most, $66. Much of this need could be filled if all persons over 65 carried hospital and nursing home insurance. If the amount of a monthly premium for a policy of basic hospital care insurance is added to the above estimate of the cost of medical care it will bring the total to $30 per month. Statistics show that chronic disease or disorders usually develop with age and that about 78 percent of all Americans past 65 are currently suffering from some chronic disorder. Few of these were seriously disabled by the mentioned chronic disease, but most need drugs and medical attention to alleviate pain and free them from the fear of the unknown. In order to determine the average cost of medicinal products needed by Alabama's oldsters, several reputable druggists were asked to examine their records and report to this committee. They reported that during a calendar year the average monthly cost was a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $55. Few of Alabama's aged people can afford prescription drugs. Hence, they resort to patent medicine and home remedies which only partially relieve their suffering. It is a vicious cycle for them-a cycle which ends only with the peace of the grave. A well-known Montgomery physician stated that his average patient past 65 paid him about $8 a month for professional services alone, not including medicines. Three well-known Alabama dentists agreed that it would take a minimum of $125 a year to maintain proper oral hygiene. Yet the pensioner struggles enough to put food in his stomach and a roof over his head and cannot afford the "luxury" of medical care. Such miseries could well be exploited by our foreign enemies. The welfare of the public at large is no better than the welfare of the least and most feeble of its citizens. For the sake of humanity and the sake of the Nation, I beseech you to consider favorably House bill 4222. We see our aged every day clustered together and alone. We hear them pray for the release of their suffering and agony of the night that comes with death, clinging to a hope for somebody's affection that does not come to pass. We see our millions of American aged citizens deprived and forgotten, masters yesterday, outcasts today. Yes, millions of our aged citizens of America are having to exist on substandard nutritional levels, and many are undernourished and underfed simply because their incomes are not sufficient to provide them with adequate diets for good health. The distress of the unfortunate American senior citizens who are unable to make ends meet and who are on short rations could be substantially alleviated by a more effective utilization of our national resources and skills. What America owes to the old is not only reverence, but all they ask for is consideration, attention, and justice; not to be discarded and forgotten; to be treated as human beings. What they deserve is preference to the health problems confronting our aged citizens of America. Yet we do not even grant our aged citizens equality and the freedom from want. H.R. 4222 will take a leading part in reducing our yearly mortality rate of about 1 million among age 65 and over. Every approach should be explored which might offer a remedy for the present situation, where large numbers of senile patients are sent to the hospitals for the mentally ill to die because of the lack of suitable services for the treatment of the aged. Fifteen million of our aged citizens are beset by boredom and left with few outlets; yet those who do become hospital patients this year and have no adequate insurance against the soaring costs may find the psychic shock of expense to the pocketbook nerve almost as great as the physical shock of an operation to the body. Medical progress has gradually lengthened the lifespan of our citizensmainly through saving infants and mothers who die unnecessarily. Is it not equally vital that our aged, in whose ranks are found some of America's greatest spiritual, mental and skilled assets, should share in these benefits, which H.R. 4222 will provide? If we reject this bill, we reject the aged citizens of America, and we allow precious human lives to be tragically and needlessly wasted. Most of our aged don't wear out. They rust out. They rust out for lack of adequate medical, nutritional, and health care, and for want of the simple necessities of life, vitamins, drugs, and doctor's advice. This bill, regardless of expenditure, will not be a liability to our country. It will be an investment for the best future interests of our Nation. We believe that we are free people under God and there is more than significance to help our sick, helpless, and needy aged citizens of America. Unless we honestly believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life, democracy will lose its effect and will be a magnet for communism. Our greatest threat to our freedoms today is the misery, the suffering, the hunger, and the agonies of our own neglected citizens. No nation can be great |