Certainly we all recognize that the problems fall into such areas as the individual stability to afford medical care, the availability of medical services, the quality and cost of services and the overall cost to the taxpayers. To some extent, these are the concerns of the Congress. We may well have a responsibility to take action in these fields and there is a likelihood that proper action will help relieve the problem.

The problem today, in this committee and in mine, is to tackle those things over which we have direct jurisdiction: Those problems where our actions can make a real difference.

I believe the Congress can make a difference in the financing of health care for those Americans who now cannot receive adequate medical care because of cost. I believe that the American people will support such a program based on the principle of giving the most help to those who need the most help and gradually reducing the amount of Federal assistance as an individual or family moves up the economic ladder.

Such a principle is basic to the Health Care Insurance Act of 1971 which I have sponsored in the Senate, and which a number of members of this committee have also sponsored, led by Mr. Fulton and Mr. Broyhill. This is the bill termed "medicredit." Let me emphasize that while there does not seem to be any clear call for vast new Federal health programs by the American people, a recent survey showed strongest support for a program which would help the poor.

I wou'd like to ask unanimous consent, Mr. Chairman, that it might be included.

Mr. ULLMAN. Without objection, it will be a part of the record, sir. (The survey follows.)

70-174 O 72 pt. 12 - 10

Many people today would prefer to obtain hospital
and medical insurance from Uncle Sam.

President Nixon and Senator Edward Kennedy have each
prescribed new Federal medicine for America's ailing
health-care system. Nixon describes his program as a
"National Health Insurance Partnership," while Kennedy
seeks to create a new Federal agency with broad taxing
powers (similar to Social Security) called the "Health
Security Board."

The nations health bill for 1970 was $71 billion, an increase of
$44 billion over 1960. Costs have far outpaced the funds
available-the Health Insurance Institute estimates that
private plans lost $600 million last year.

Most low-income families and blacks express a
preference for government health insurance.

Under Nixon's proposed program, employers would be
required to offer basic and major medical coverage to all their
employees and would wind up paying 75% of the premiums.
For people not covered by this program, such as poor families
with children, the government would finance and administer
a new family health-insurance plan.

Kennedy's proposed program would cover everyone,
regardless of income, and be financed half by a new payroll
tax (3.5%) and half by general government revenues. Private
plans would probably go out of existence under the
Kennedy program.

Americans prefer to do business with private
companies for their home and auto insurance needs.
Despite a lot of publicity recently about policy cancellations
and hefty rate increases in home and auto insurance, people
still prefer to insure with private companies, rather than with
the Federal government, by a ratio of almost two-to-one.
Index Attitude Trend Data show slightly increasing preference
for government insurance, but public favor is at a lower
level today than it was ten years ago.