alike, and of facilitating a wider and better distribution of the available supply of scarce personnel. A major obstacle to the development of group practice, however, particularly in our smaller communities, is a lack of the specialized facilities needed. I therefore recommend legislation which will authorize a 5-year program of Federal loans for construction and equipment of group practice medical and dental facilities, with priority being given to facilities in smaller communities and to those sponsored by nonprofit or cooperative organizations. IX. HEALTH OF DOMESTIC AGRICULTRAL MIGRANT WORKERS Domestic agricultural migrants and their families-numbering almost 1 million persons have unmet health needs far greater than those of the general population. Their poor health not only affects their own lives and opportunities, but it is a threat to the members of the permanent communities through which they migrate. The poverty of these migrants, their lack of health knowledge, and their physical isolation and mobility, all tend to limit their access to community health services. To help improve their health conditions, I recommend-in addition to expanding the special Public Health Service activities directed to them the enactment of legislation to encourage the States to provide facilities and services for migrant workers. X. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE REORGANIZATION Changes in recent years have greatly increased the responsibilities of the Public Health Service. Some major organizational changes are necessary in order to help this agency carry out its vital tasks more effectively. I will shortly forward to the Congress a proposal which will make these reorganizational changes possible. It will permit more effective administration of community health programs and those dealing with the health hazards of the environment. OTHER HEALTH GOALS The struggle for improved health is never ending. While we are pressing new attacks in sectors of past neglect and present urgency, we must continue to advance along the entire front. Health facilities construction.—I have asked the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to review the program of federally aided medical facility construction, to evaluate its accomplishments and future course. Through the Federal support provided by this very successful program, general medical care facilities have been constructed in most of the areas of greatest need. There are, however, large and urgent unmet requirements for facilities to provide long-term care, especially for the elderly, and short-term mental care at the community level. In addition, a growing number of existing urban hospitals require modernization so that they may continue to serve the needs of the people dependent upon them. Health of merchant seamen.-Over the past several years funds for the operation of the Public Health Service hospitals have been substantially increased to improve the quality of medical care for merchant seamen and other beneficiaries. A start has also been made on enabling these hospitals to conduct medical research. I have directed the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop a plan for providing more readily accessible hospital care for seamen and for improving the physical facilities of those Public Health Service hospitals which are needed to provide such care. Physical fitness.-The foundation of good health is laid in early life. Yet large numbers do not receive necessary health care as infants and schoolchildren. The alarming rate of correctible health defects among selective service registrants highlights the problem. In all 50 States there has been a gratifying response to my call of last year for vigorous programs for the physical development of our youth. Pilot projects stimulated by the President's Council on Youth Fitness proved that basic programs, within the reach of every school, can produce dramatic results. Our children must have an opportunity for physical development as well as for intellectual growth. Our increased national emphasis on physical fitness, based on daily vigorous activity and sound nutritional and health practices, should and will be continued. International health.-Finally, it is imperative that we help fulfill the health needs and expectations of less developed nations, who look to us as a source of hope and strength in fighting their staggering problems of disease and hunger. Mutual efforts toward attaining better health will help create mutual under standing. Our foreign assistance program must make maximum use of the medical and other health resources, skills, and experience of our Nation in helping these nations advance their own knowledge and skill. We should, in addition, explore every possibility for scientific exchange and collaboration between our medical scientists and those of other nations-programs which are of benefit to all who participate and to all mankind. CONCLUSION Good health is a prerequisite to the enjoyment of "pursuit of happiness." Whenever the miracles of modern medicine are beyond the reach of any group of Americans, for whatever reason-economic, geographic, occupational, or otherwe must find a way to meet their needs and fulfill their hopes. For one true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members. Let this be the measure of our Nation. THE WHITE HOUSE, February 27, 1962. JOHN F. KENNEDY. Senator HILL. We certainly want to thank you, and thank you, and thank you again. DISALLOWANCES BY DEPARTMENT AND BUDGET BUREAU In order that the record may be complete I shall place in the hearings a table furnished the subcommittee upon its request by the Department showing among other things the amounts disallowed by the Department and by the Bureau of the Budget from the sums requested by the constituent agencies and bureaus of the Department. The table referred to follows:) |