PEDIATRICS Vol. 4 No. 3 September 1949, pp. 373-383
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THE PEDIATRICIAN AND THE PUBLIC

AN OPEN FORUM

Editors: PAUL A. HARPER, M.D..

THE two communications in this issue are from Dr. George Baehr, President of the New York Academy of Medicine, an organization which has a long tradition of study of the problems of medical care. First is the statement made in behalf of this Academy before the Senate Committee which has been hearing testimony concerned with the various medical care bills now before Congress. This statement is a succinct and thoughtful appraisal of these bills and indicates that S-1970 (Flanders-Ives-Herter-Javits Bill) comes nearest to meeting the Academy's requirements for a voluntary prepaid comprehensive medical service plan.

The second communication is Dr. Baehr's analysis and comments upon S-1970 (Flanders-Ives-Herter-Javits Bill). He points out that, in the words of Senator Flanders, S-1970 is essentially a "'voluntary health insurance bill calling for compulsory public contribution,'" which is to take the form of a subsidy for the operating deficits of voluntary prepayment agencies. Other outstanding features of the bill are the provisions designed to stimulate group practice and the requirement that subscription charges shall vary with income.

The implications of a subsidy for the operating deficits of voluntary agencies and the fostering of group practice on a nation-wide scale will warrant careful study. It should also be noted that individuals with wide experience in existing prepayment organizations have expressed real concern as to the feasibility of private organizations doing business with clients on a sliding premium basis.