A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A STUDY OF THE MARCH 28, 1961.-Ordered to be printed 67714 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1961 SUBCOMMITTEE ON PROBLEMS OF THE AGED AND AGING JOSEPH 8. CLARK, Pennsylvania JENNINGS RANDOLPH, West Virginia EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN, Illinois SIDNEY SPECTOR, Staff Director HAROLD L. SHEPPARD, Research Director RAYMOND D. HURLEY, Associate Minority Counsel NOTE.-Senator Kennedy was a member of this subcommittee and resigned Dec. 22, 1960; Senator Norman Brunsdale was a member of the committee until Aug. 8, 1960. II LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Hon. LISTER HILL, U.S. SENATE, Chairman, Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I have the honor of submitting to you the second report of the Subcommittee on Problems of the Aged and Aging, in accordance with Senate Resolution 266, adopted March 24, 1960, authorizing the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare to "examine, investigate and make a complete study of*** the problems of the aging." The present report summarizes the work of the subcommittee in translating studies and reports into legislative action and sets forth the results of subcommittee studies in a number of areas not covered in its first report. A brief outline of the areas covered follows: (1) A summary of the bills introduced by members of the subcommittee in 1960, their disposition and our recommendations for their consideration in 1961. (2) A detailed, updated analysis of the facts relating to medical insurance for all retired aged our No. 1 legislative objective. (3) A careful presentation of the latest data on income and assets of older persons. (4) A statement of the need for a major investment in research in the field of aging as our best hope of further lengthening productive life and preventing deterioration. This was based in part on 2 days of a seminar-type discussion with some of the Nation's best researchers in the medical-biological and social sciences. (5) An analysis of ways and means to make life in retirement productive and enjoyable in an age when 12 million people over 65 are no longer employed at all and the figure can be expected to rise to 20 million in the next generation. (6) An evaluation of how well the Federal Government is organized to meet the problems of an increasingly aging population. One of the crucial lessons we have learned is that the problems of older persons are not contained within a narrow subject-matter compass, but cut across most of the areas of governmental and legislative responsibility. The nature of the problem, today, its future growth and complexity, and its interrelationships are of such importance that we have recommended the creation of a Special Committee of the Senate on Aging for a coordinated view of the total problem. I want to express my appreciation of your excellent cooperation and that of your staff members in the work of this subcommittee. It was of immense assistance in the preparation of our hearings, studies, seminars and of this report. Sincerely, PAT MCNAMARA, Chairman, Subcommittee on Problems of the Aged and Aging. CONTENTS Text of bills. Effect of OASI health insurance program on private insurance_ 1960 legislation for the "medical indigent". Features of a positive health program for the aged uncer OASDI Omission of physicians' and surgeons' fees - Comments on the role of the social insurance principle- The charge of "socialized medicine". Chapter III. The need for a decent income. Summary of income status of the aged. Proposals to relieve the income problem.. Chapter IV. A new emphasis on research___ Shortcomings in aging research_. Meeting tomorrow's research needs. Federal share of research costs. A national institute of gerontology-- Summary of recommendations on research_ Chapter V. Useful activity in retirement_. Trend toward retirement and loneliness_ The effects of inactivity upon the older person. Individual and social responsibility to be active in retirement. Chapter VI. Federal organization: A U.S. Office of Aging. The need for Federal organization_ The need for coordination and stimulation__ Similar developments_ ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! |