Nation: On Who Will Whip Whom

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Carter and Kennedy duel over competing health plans

The Congressmen could hardly believe their ears. Joining a small group of legislators attending a White House dinner, the President was asked the inevitable question about Ted Kennedy and made an altogether unexpected reply. "Excuse me, what did you say?" asked a startled William Brodhead of Michigan. "I don't think the President wants to repeat what he said," interjected a worried Toby Moffett of Connecticut. "Yes I do," said a cocky Jimmy Carter—and then stated again, loud and clear, "If Kennedy runs, I'll whip his ass."

Rather mild by Nixon-tape standards, perhaps, but coming from the "born-again" Christian from Plains, Ga., the remark touched off a furor that newspapers and TV stations had a hard time deciding how to handle (see PRESS). Far from being embarrassed, White House aides were proud of the boss's feistiness. Indeed, they encouraged Congressmen to confirm Carter's words. Kennedy roared with laughter when he heard about Carter's crack, and later joked, "I always knew the White House would stand behind me, but I didn't realize how close they would be." Funny enough, but Kennedy also said: "If I were to run, which I don't intend to, I would hope to win."

The dustup had its serious side: the increasingly acerbic Carter-Kennedy rivalry is coloring important national issues. Last week's example was the key question of how the nation can extend adequate health care to every American at something resembling an affordable cost.

Kennedy has long tried to make the issue his own by advocating a comprehensive program giving medical insurance to everyone, regardless of age, income or state of health. Carter last week struck back by describing the less comprehensive but still sweeping bill that the Administration will send to Congress shortly. Main features:

>No family with at least one member employed would have to pay more than $2,500 a year in total medical expenses. Employers would have to provide a standard package of medical-insurance benefits for workers and their families, and pay at least 75% of the cost. Employees would pay the rest, but federal subsidies of $1.6 billion would hold down premiums for both workers and bosses.

>The Federal Government would pick up all basic health costs for everyone whose income falls below a certain figure—roughly $4,200 for a family of four—and the costs of prenatal care for all mothers. The Government would pay for all care for infants in the first year of life, regardless of family income.

>Medicare for the aged and Medicaid assistance for the poor would be merged into a single, more generous "Healthcare" program; for example, no elderly person now on Medicare would have to pay more than $1,250 a year for treatment.

>Doctors' fees to Healthcare patients would be fixed by the Government. Physicians could charge other patients what they pleased, but the Administration hopes that wide publicity given to the maximum Healthcare charges would curb their other bills.