In other words, we are trying to point out areas in which we look; not knowing the best and not knowing the best policies available. That is the problem.

Mr. BUSH. And all of this includes what is known as nonoccupational diseases.

Mr. WERCH. This is what is known as occupational diseases. Is the medical department in a position to be interested in nonoccupational diseases? Some of them have kept off of that, having been warned by attorneys and insurance people that they do not want to acquire workmen's compensation liability here. And, we have asked the question, Is it a fact that more and more employers are now paying the full bill, for nonoccupational insurance, indicating a possible change in that attitude, since they do not have an insurance obligation? Is there some medical department in the company that can give that can do something about it? That is capable of making an early diagnosis, and making sure that the worker gets the right treatment; cooperating with private practitioners so as to bring the employee back to the job quickly, and readjusting him in accordance with the physical demands of his job, in line with his physical abilities; checking with the safety personnel, and checking his environmental conditions on the job, determining what they may have had to do with this nonoccupational disability.

Those are some of the data we like to dig up data on for possible investigations, and we are digging up that data.

4

Mr. BEAMER. If there are no further questions of the witness, we want to thank you on behalf of the committee. All of this information will be printed in the record for the members of the committee and the Members of Congress, so that they may have access to it.

(The study of prolonged illness, submitted by Mr. Werch, follows:)

STUDY OF PROLONGED ILLNESS

PROLONGED ABSENCES DUE TO NONOCCUPATIONAL DISABILITY AMONG
EMPLOYED PERSONS

Special tabulation prepared for the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, by the Research Council for Economic Security, Chicago

TABLE A-1.-Rate of prolonged absences, by occupational group and sex

TABLE A-2.- -Rate of prolonged absences within each duration period, by sex

TABLE B-1.-Distribution of absences, by occupation and sex.

295

15.4

169

15.9

.58

50

.81

104

5.4

30

2.8

.17

.18

14

TABLE B-2.-Distribution of absences, by income and sex

TABLE B-3.-Distribution of absences, by length of employment and sex

TABLE C-1.-Distribution of absences, by disability groups

TABLE C-2.—Duration of absences in principal disability groups