Medicine: Debate Over National Health Insurance

(2 of 2)

The plan's promoters insist his figures are inflated. They point out that about two-thirds of the cost of their health insurance program is already being spent under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, or laid out by consumers who now pay their own medical bills. Since the new plan envisions far greater efficiency, almost $14 billion would be saved by eliminating administrative waste and overlapping programs. To that end, Max Fine of the Committee of 100 estimated that the Government could shave $1.1 billion from the national health-care bill by abolishing the more than 20,000 different types of policies now offered by 1,800 competing private insurers, the largest of which would become Government contractors. It could save another $6.4 billion by eliminating doctors' overcharges and unnecessary surgery, and by encouraging more cost-cutting group practice.

Seldom Used Rule. In fact, national health insurance has no chance of passage this year. Invoking a seldom used rule, Republicans objected to the committee's decision to hold hearings while the Senate was in session. As a result, the hearings have now been recessed until January, thus precluding any action on health insurance until the new Congress takes over.

But the debate will continue. Having forced the Administration into going on record against national health insurance, Democrats plan to press their advantage in the current congressional campaigns. They will have some powerful allies. Organized labor is firmly committed to the Committee of 100's plan, and will work hard for candidates who support it.