Although, in 1950 there was a relatively high concentration of older persons in the village population, it does not follow that a major part of the population 65 and over was to be found in villages. In fact only about 10 percent of the older population lived in villages.

Mrs. Latham, I believe you are from Birmingham, Ala., are you not?

STATEMENT OF MRS. LAMAR LATHAM, FIELD SECRETARY, ALABAMA LEAGUE OF AGING CITIZENS

Mrs. LATHAM. Yes; I am.

The CHAIRMAN. I notice in addition to being the spokesman today before the committee for the Alabama League of Aging Citizens that you are somewhat active in politics as a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee of Alabama.

Mrs. LATHAM. That is correct.

The CHAIRMAN. You are vice chairman in charge of the woman's division. We are glad to have you with us, Mrs. Latham. Mrs. LATHAM. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The CHAIRMAN. You are recognized.

Mrs. LATHAM. I am Mrs. Lamar Latham from Alabama. I am a field secretary for the some 175,000 strong Alabama League of Aging Citizens. I am here today speaking in behalf of Mr. Rubin Hanan, president of the Alabama League of Aging Citizens and vice president of the National League of Aging Citizens of America. Mr.

Hanan was also a member of the Governor's advisory committee on the aging as well as a delegate to the 1961 White House Conference on Aging. He is ex-vice chairman of the Committee on the Aging of the State of Alabama and is general executive director of the Joint Legislative Committee of Alabama's Pensions and Senior Citizens Organizations. It is for Mr. Hanan and the organizations which he represents that I am speaking today.

I urge your favorable consideration of H.R. 4222, the Health Insurance Benefits Act of 1961.

Despite the great abundance prevalent in the United States today, there are many aged citizens who are in need. In Alabama the population 65 and over is approximately 261,000. Of these, about 100,000 receive old-age pensions-old-age assistance-from the department of pensions and security and about 133,300 receive benefits from the oldage, survivors, and disability insurance program. Records show that 'one-fourth of those dependent on pensions-which are based on need-receive their pension as a supplement to an inadequate social security check. It is further known that a large number of these recipients under the two programs have no other income or any other income is limited. The average old-age pension payment in Alabama is $53.92 as compared with $68.45 in the Nation. In the light of the relatively low average benefits paid in Alabama, it is clear that these people do not have reserve funds to finance lengthy illness or hospitalization.

Studies throughout the country show that chronic disease and chronic disorders usually increase with age and that from two-thirds to over three-fourths of all Americans past 65 are currently suffering from such chronic disorders. Studies further show that a smaller proportion of the aged-past 65—have insurance against the cost of these diseases. In fact, these studies show that only between 30 and 46 percent have prepaid hospital insurance. In this era of enlightened medicine when drugs and treatment have been discovered for many illnesses previously considered disabling or fatal, it is unfortunate that many of our aged persons cannot afford to avail themselves of these medical services. Enactment of H.R. 4222 would go a long way toward bringing medical facilities and people who need them together. Alabama is a State like many others where public medical care facilities are limited. There are no public facilities at all in many sections of the State. The department of pensions and security has initiated a hospitalization program for old-age pensioners but this is limited to 10 days and to acute illness or major injury. The only other medical care program for old-age pensioners operated by the department of pensions and security is payment for nursing care of pensioners in licensed nursing homes. There are no public nursing care facilities available.

Alabama has legislation pending which would authorize the establishment of a medical-aid-to-the-aged program; that is, a program for medically needy people over 65 not receiving old-age pensions. We hope this legislation will be enacted. Funds anticipated, however, would limit this program as to type of illness and kind of service provided.

Even if Alabama has additional funds for its medical care program for pensioners and develops medical aid to the aged, there will be a real need for health insurance under social security.

76123-61-pt. 2—12

The 1961 White House Conference on Aging gave major attention to the need for adequate health services for all old people. The group that was assigned to consider this matter recommended that there should be established a basic program for financing health care for the aged within the framework of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance system.

The officers and members of the Alabama League of Aging Citizens and the National Association of Senior Citizens of America most seriously urge the passage of H.R. 4222. Its passage would be the humanitarian thing to do. It would go a long way in protecting our most precious resource. It would be one means not just to preserve our society, but that freedom and a better life might flourish for all in our society.

If we reject this bill, we reject the aged citizens of America, and we allow precious human lives to be tragically and needlessly wasted. 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.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. King, and all the gentlemen of the committee.

Mr. KING (presiding). Thank you, Mrs. Latham, for a very good statement.

Are there questions?

Mrs. LATHAM. May I add one thing? I think in the execution of the program, when it is passed, that employment so far as is possible, should be given to the aged people in all the administrative and the executive departments. The people, in other words, that are aged should do the work as far as they are capable of doing it. I think by doing so we would give back to our people the heritage that they so richly deserve.

Mr. KING. I think in many instances the committee would agree with you, Mrs. Latham.

Mrs. LATHAM. Thank you very much.

Mr. ALGER. Mrs. Latham, does it seem at all inconsistent and unfair to you that young people are going to pay up to 45 years into this program while 14 million are going to get it for nothing?

Mrs. LATHAM. No; it does not seem unfair because that is the way of life in a lot of respects. Some people pay for some things and you don't get anything.

Mr. ALGER. Let us respectfully recognize the difference between us. I think that is very unfair, far beyond the fact that this will not give the best medical care to our elderly, much of which you may not know about since it is entirely locally financed. I take issue with you only to that extent at this time. I think it is terribly unfair-14 million get it for free and others may be paying 45 years before they ever get it, if at all.

Mrs. LATHAM. All through society we have had many people who have gotten everything in life for free. I think it is very fair and I hope it passes. We really want it in our State. We need it very, very badly.

Mr. ALGER. I hate to think it, maybe if I were one of those 14 million maybe I would want it too, something for nothing, you know, something you do not have to pay for, but I do think you are vulnerable on that point.

Mrs. LATHAM. I have always had to pay through the nose for everything I have ever had.

Mr. ALGER. That is why this looks so good?

Mrs. LATHAM. Not necessarily. I know many people who have the same thing and the economic situation of our Nation has caused them to lose their standard of living, you might say, due not to their own fault.

Mr. KING. Mrs. Latham, you don't want the record to show that because some people want something for free is the reason we call this a free society?

Mrs. LATHAM. Indeed, I do not.

Thank you, Mr. King.

Mr. KING. Mr. Phillips?

You may identify yourself, and if you wish you may identify the young gentlemen with you.

STATEMENT OF HOWARD PHILLIPS, MEMBER, BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, YOUNG AMERICANS FOR FREEDOM

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Howard Phillips, and I am a resident of Brighton, Mass. I am here today to represent Young Americans for Freedom, of which I am a director.

During the past year a nationwide upsurge in conservative opinion and political action has developed among college and young professional people. In the numerous press references to this trend, Young Americans for Freedom has been cited as the chief evidence of its strength by such diverse publications as the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, New York Times, Time Magazine, National Review, and even the Communist Party paper, The Worker.

YAF is, in fact, the largest, bipartisan political youth organization in the United States. Our membership is presently estimated at 30,000 individuals between the ages of 16 and 39, distributed throughout the 50 States. Our national headquarters is in New York City.

With me today are some of the leaders of YAF. All of them are politically articulate concerned citizens, who, though young in years, have already held positions of great responsibility. By their dedicated efforts, they have contributed much to the political awakening of our generation and to the battle to protect our individual liberties. They

are:

Mrs. Carol Dawson Bauman of Maryland, presently legislative assistant to Congressman Donald Bruce, of Indiana, and a former assistant to Senator Keating, of New York, is secretary of the YAF board of directors, a member of our policy committee, and managing editor of New Guard magazine. She is only 23 and will soon be assuming an additional responsibility that is not political.

William Cotter, of New York City, executive secretary of the Freedom Party, Inc., of New York City, is national organizational director of YAF and a member of our policy committee.

On my right, and not listed in the text, is John Williams, who is a fellow student of mine at Harvard College and is presently working in the office of Senator Young of North Dakota.

Lee Edwards, of Washington, press assistant to Senator Butler of Maryland, is editor of New Guard magazine and is a YAF board member.

On my left is David Duval, of Princeton University, accompanied by his wife, Vicky, who is secretary-treasurer of that chapter. And I might add that she is the only female officeholder in the student body at Princeton. Dave is a member of the staff of Congressman Barry, of New York.

My reason for asking these individuals to appear here with me today is to emphasize the national character of YAF and the competent type of individuals which constitutes its membership and top leadership. I also want to stress that my testimony before this distinguished committee has the unanimous endorsement of our board of directors.

One other point: While I am now closing out my second term as president of the Harvard Student Council, and I hereby take note of the fact that the distinguished chairman of this committee is one of Harvard's most prominent alumni, I wish to emphasize that I am speaking only in my capacity as a YAF director.

Mr. KING. If I may interrupt you, I do not know whether it is well to spread that on the record or not. They may want your services downtown.

Mr. PHILLIPS. There are two types of Harvard men, sir.

It is our conviction that the United States in the 1960's is at a crossroads between freedom and Federal domination. On the one hand, a commitment to individual responsibility, a belief in certain absolute moral principles, and the relatively free choice of one's own weakness, On the other hand, Federal dominance, characterized by weakness, apathy, false security, excessive dependence, and little respect for the individuality of every citizen.

Since the generation represented by YAF will bear the burdens or rewards which will result from the actions taken in this era, including the very decisions which you gentlemen make, we are resolved to remain watchful. We will take every step which may be required to preserve our liberty and enhance the opportunities of our Nation. We shall do this because we are posterity.

With these things in mind, we have carefully considered the legislation curently before this committee. We would not be faithful to ourselves or our ideals if we were to let H.R. 4222 be reviewed without your hearing from the generation that has the most to be concerned about.

Yes, gentlemen, I am saying that you must not consider only the aged. You must also remember those of us who are on the threshold of or just starting in the social security system.

First, let me say that we are not merely against this legislation. We are also for something. We are for good medical care, not just for the aged, but for everybody, regardless of ability to pay.

We believe this can best be accomplished under free enterprise, without the Federal Government taking over medicine or getting a start toward this via legislation such as the King bill.

In fact, we believe that free enterprise is the best way to get most things done. It is what has made this country great, and it is what has given us the best system of health care this Nation or any other nation has ever known. We have confidence that our health is much