Furthermore, as we suggested to the Senate Subcommittee on Problems of the Aged and Aging during its hearings last August, we believe that more financial support should be made available for basic and applied research in geriatrics. The osteopathic schools of medicine, in common with the other medical schools, are participating in the research and training programs of the National Institutes of Health in such fields as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis and metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mental health, which may be said to bear a primary relation to aging. Lectures and clinical courses are given in the care of the aged, under the subject of gerontology, and kindred subjects throughout the curriculums in our colleges. The American Osteopathic Association will continue to work with private organizations and Government agencies for the advancement of the health care and welfare of the aged, and desires to be of any possible assistance to this honorable committee in connection with the pending and related legislation. AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION, Re H.R. 1280. Hon. HARRY F. BYRD, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, DEAR SENATOR BYRD: Although Dr. Ballinger, of Coral Gables, Fla., has already filed with your committee a statement on the part of the American Osteopathic Association in connection with the social security amendments bill, H.R. 12580, an objectionable and gratuitous suggestion made by the International Chiropractic Association to your committee yesterday to change the form of reference to osteopathy in connection with the definitions of "physicians' services" and "physician" on page 165 of the bill calls for additional comment on our part. The chiropractic proposal would revise lines 12-16, page 165 of H.R. 12580, to read as follows: "(e) The term 'physicians' services' means services provided in the exercise of his profession in any State by a physician, osteopath, or chiropractor, licensed in such State; and the term 'physician' includes a physician, osteopath, or chiropractor licensed in such State." The definition of "physician" on page 165 of the bill as it passed the House emphasizes osteopathic participation by incorporating by reference section 1101 (a) (7), adopted in 1950, which includes doctors of osteopathy in the definition of physician applicable to the general provisions of the Social Security Act. We respectfully request that this form of reference be retained for purposes of osteopathic participation. It was through application of the criterion that in order to qualify for inclusion under the term "physician," as used in the Social Security Act generally. one must be trained in the practice of the healing art in all its branches, that this committee in 1950, based upon the evidence submitted, found that the graduates of the osteopathic schools of medicine so qualified and included them under section 1101 (a) (7). The Congress had similarly defined the terms "physicians" and "medical care" and "hospitalization" as inclusive of osteopathic physicians and hospitals under the provisions of the U.S. Employees Compensation Act in 1938 (52 Stat. 586). Previous to that, in 1929, the Congress, in regulating the practice of the healing art in the District of Columbia, provided: "The degrees doctor of medicine and doctor of osteopathy shall be accorded the same rights and privileges under governmental regulations" (45 Stat. 1329). As above stated, we hope that the provision for osteopathic participation under H.R. 12580 will be retained in the form in which it passed the House. Very truly yours, C. D. SWOPE, D.O., Chairman. MADISON, WIS., June 29, 1960. Senator HARRY FLOOD BYRD, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, Washington, D.C.: Local 720 of the Wisconsin Council of County and Municipal Employees by unanimous vote urges your support of the McNamara amendment for medical care for aged to replace title 6 of the House-approved H.R. 12580. MERCEDES DUFOUR, Secretary, City-County Building, Madison, Wis. HUDSON, N.Y., June 29, 1960. Senator HARRY F. BYRD, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, On behalf of the Group Health Association of America I would like to testify in support of legislation to provide health benefits to the aged through contributory social security system. However, I do not want to delay completion of the work of your committee within the remaining days of this congressional session. If my personal appearance would in any way hold up the committee's deliberations I would prefer to be recorded as favoring adding health benefits to the OASDI system and having this telegram included in the committee record. CALDWELL D. ESSELTYN, M.D., President, Group Health Association of America, Hudson, N.Y. Senator HARRY F. BYRD, NEW YORK, N.Y., June 29, 1960. . Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, Would like to appear before your committee to testify in support of legislation to provide health benefits to the aged through contributory social security system. However, I do not want to delay completion of committee's work in closing days of congressional session. If my personal appearance would in any way hold up the committee's deliberations, I would prefer to be recorded in favor of adding health benefits to the OASDI system and having my telegram included in the committee's records. My own record and experience may be identified by reference to Who's Who in America. Senator HARRY F. BYRD, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: GEORGE BAEHR, M.D. YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO, June 29, 1960. Have just learned of public hearing on health care for aged today and tomorrow. I urge support of legislation to provide health benefits through OASI, if we are as a nation truly concerned to meet health problems of older people and maintain humane standards of quality and quantity of health services. This would permit contributions of individuals through employed lifetime and give widest flexibility in administration with least likelihood of regional and sectional variations in coverage and service. Please include this telegram in committee's record. JAMES P. DIXON, M.D.. President, Antioch College. WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 1960. Senator HARRY F. BYRD. Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Re Finance Committee hearings June 29 and 30 on health care for the aged. I wish to record with your committee my full support of legislation to provide health care to the aged through the contributory social security system. I would request the opportunity to testify re above but do not want to delay the work of the committee in the closing days of the congressional session. I ask that this telegram expressing my stand in favor of adding health benefits to the OASDI system be placed in the committee's record in lieu of my appearance before the committee. Hon. HARRY BYRD, WARREN F. DRAPER, M.D., Executive Medical Officer, UMWA Welfare. Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: ST. LOUIS, Mo., June 29, 1960. The Missouri State Labor Council AFL-CIO respectfully urges your committee to approve medical care benefits for the aged within the social security system. We think this should be done without a means test. Senator HARRY F. BYRD, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: JOHN I. ROLLINS, President. WASHINGTON, D.C. June 29, 1960. May I on behalf of more than 400,000 workers represented by the International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers AFL-CIO urgently request that you and your colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee give favorable consideration to legislation providing medical care for the aged within the Federal social security system. At the same time our international union is strongly opposed to the imposition of any means test. I can assure you that this represents the militant sentiment of the overwhelming majority of members of our union as concretely evidenced in innumerable local, regional, and national meetings and by thousands of letters and telegrams which I and other leaders of this union have received. I firmly believe that you will be serving not only splendid humanitarian purposes but also purposes of our Nation's welfare and internal strength if you vote approval of this legislation. JAMES B. CAREY, President, IUE-AFL-CIO. WASHINGTON, D.C. June 29, 1960. Senator HARRY F. BYRD, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, This statement is in support of legislation to provide health benefits to aged through an expansion of the existing social security system. Kindly request that this opinion be included in the committee's record. Because of the element of time for adjournment it is impossible for me to appear personally before the committee such a request is made. DR. E. C. MAZIQUE, President, National Medical Association. PHILADELPHIA, PA., June 29, 1960. Hon. HARRY F. BYRD, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.: On behalf of the city of Philadelphia and its 2 million inhabitants I desire to testify in support of legislation to provide health benefits to aged through social security system. Contributory social insurance is far superior to StateFederal means test approach. Blue Cross hearings in Pennsylvania have demonstrated serious health problems of the aged. Social security approach is akin to insurance while the means test approach tends to pauperize recipients. Since I do not wish to delay committee's work, I will gladly forgo presenting my view personally but wish to be on record regarding the urgent need for adding health benefits to the OASDI system at this session of Congress. DAVID BERGER, WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 1960. Hon. HARRY F. BYRD, Chairman, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.: The National Consumers League has long supported the establishment of a system of health benefits for the aged under the social security law. We have studied many alternative proposals over the years and have concluded that there is no more effective, economical, and dignified way of providing our elder citizens with the health care they so desperately need. The approach taken in the bill passed recently by the House of Representatives utilizing a means test under a Federal-State public assistance program is inadequate and does not solve the problem. Because we feel so strongly that it is urgent for the Senate to act during the current session we would like very much to testify in detail on our views before your committee. But recognizing the need for brief hearing to enable the Senate to act before adjournment, we are taking this means of presenting in capsule form for the committee's consideration our strong views in support of a contributory health insurance program for the aged under the Social Security System. We urge your committee to act in support of the simple and democratic solution of the health needs of our elder citizens. Please include this telegram in the record of the hearing. VERA MAYER, General Secretary, National Consumers League. WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 1960. Hon. HARRY FLOOD BYRD, Room 2227, New Senate Office Building, On behalf of the members of the American Bakery & Confectionery Workers' International Union, AFL-CIO, we urge most strongly that the Senate Finance Committee approve legislation calling for medical care benefits for the aged within the Social Security System as being the most reasonable, effective, and practical way of dealing with an extremely pressing problem facing the senior citizens of our Nation. By the same token we are most emphatically opposed to any proposal which demands a means test. DANIEL E. CONWAY, American Bakery & Confectionery Workers International Union. Hon. HARRY FLOOD BYRD, NEW YORK, N.Y., June 29, 1960. Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, Room 2227, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: On behalf of more than a quarter of million members of the American Federation of Musicians, may I urge favorable consideration by you and your committee colleagues of legislation now before you that would provide medical care benefits for the aged within the social security system. We are opposed to means test provisions as proposed. HERMAN KENIN, President, American Federation of Musicians, AFL-CIO. WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 1960. Hon. HARRY FLOOD BYRD, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, Room 2227, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: Urge support of medical care benefits for aged through social security system. Use of a means test must be avoided and principle of health benefits through social insurance maintained. Recommend that bill (S. 3503) introduced by Senator McNamara be reported out of committee. ARNOLD S. ZANDER, International President, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees. NEW YORK, N.Y., June 29, 1960. Hon. HARRY F. BYRD, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, We should like to testify in support of legislation to provide health benefits to aged through social security system contributory social insurance superior to State-Federal means test approach period but we do not want to delay committee's work so we will forgo presenting our views personally and wish to be on record regarding urgent need for adding health benefits to OASI system at this session of Congress. COUNCIL OF THE GOLDEN RING CLUBS OF SENIOR CITIZENS, ADOLPH HELD, Chairman. DETROIT, MICH., June 29, 1960. Senator HARRY BYRD, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, In view of the fact that hearings on H.R. 12580 are scheduled for only June 29 and 30 and because of the short time remaining to the Congress, I do not believe it is necessary for me to appear in person to testify. I would however like to have the views of the International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft & Agricultural Implement Workers of America, on health insurance for the aged recorded as follows: We believe that the subject has been thoroughly studied and the issues thoroughly debated. Out of all this public discussion one conclusion remains clear-financing of hospital and medical is the most pressing problem for millions of America's older citizens. Our own experience with over 100,000 living retired UAW workers confirms this. We believe the problem is an urgent one and that congressional action is needed in this legislative session. We urge you to reject any Federal-State or means test approach as the basic solution to providing health care to the aged. Such programs will not meet the problem, are fiscally impractical, and would undermine the dignity of the hard-pressed aged. We strongly urge that you adopt a measure based on use of the social insurance system to provide benefits as a matter of right on an actuarially sound and feasible basis. WALTER P. REUTHER, President, International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft & Agricultural Implement Workers of America. TRENTON, N.J., June 28, 1960. Hon. HARRY BYRD, Chairman, Senate Finance Committee, DEAR SENATOR BYRD: We respectfully urge you to support the Mills bill title XVI, H.R. 12580 as adopted by the House of Representatives on June 23 and to disapprove any amendments that might be offered which will place old-age medical care within the realm of social security. Very truly yours, The SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C: JOHN J. DEBUS, R.P., MPA Secretary. RALEIGH, N.C., June 29, 1960. The officers and members of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO respectfully request and urge you to adopt a medical care program with benefits for the aged within the social security system. The program proposed by the administration is unrealistic, unworkable, and absolutely not in the best interest of anyone but the large insurance companies. The helpless aged people of America are looking to you for help. Please do not desert them by favoring the rich insurance carriers. W. M. BARBEE, President North Carolina State AFL-CIO. |