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Older Americans Issues - GRF Statements - Health
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Older Americans Issues - GRF Statements - Health
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President Ford Committee Records
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The original documents are located in Box F54, folder "Older Americans Issues - GRF
Statements - Health" of the President Ford Committee Campaign Records at the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the
United States of America her copyrights in all of her husband's unpublished writings in National
Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official
duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or
organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed
in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library.
HEALTH
Hospital and medical services in America are among
the world's best but the cost of a serious and extended
illness can quickly wipe out a family's lifetime savings.
Increasing health costs are of deep concern to all and a
powerful force pushing up the cost of living.
The burden of a catastrophic illness can be borne by
very few in our society. We must eliminate this fear from
every family.
I propose catastrophic health insurance for everybody
covered by Medicare. To finance this added protection,
fees for short-term care will go up somewhat, but nobody
after reaching age 65 will have to pay more than $500
a year for covered hospital or nursing home care nor more
than $250 for one year's doctors' bills.
We cannot realistically afford Federally dictated
national health insurance providing full coverage for all
215 million Americans. The experience of other countries
raises questions about the quality as well as the cost
of such plans. But I do envision the day when we may use
the private health insurance system to offer more middle
income families high quality health services at prices
they can afford and shield them also from catastrophic
illnesses.
Using the resources now available, I propose improving
the Medicare and other Federal health programs to help those
who really need more protection: older people and the poor.
To help States and local governments give better health care
to the poor I propose that we combine 16 existing Federal
programs grant. including Medicaid into a single $10 billion Federal
Funds would be divided among the States under a new
formula which provides a larger share of Federal money to
those states that have a larger share of low income families.
I will take further steps to improve the quality of
medical and hospital care for those who have served in our
armed forces.
President Gerald R. Ford
State of the Union Address
January 19, 1976
GERALD FORD
LIBRARY
HEALTH
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
THE PRESIDENT: I did not recommend a Government
sponsored national health insurance program. I did not
for two reasons.
Number one, I don't think that a national Govern-
ment sponsored health insurance program has worked very
well as far as the patient is concerned in any country where
it has been tried, and that is particularly true in Great
Britain and several other countries, so I don't think it is
the best way to improve health care.
Number two, it would be very expensive, and I
don't think we could afford it. But, the principal reason I
am opposed to it is that it has not worked, and I don't
think it will work.
Secondly, the cost would be substantial, and the
Federal budget could not afford it at the present time.
Now, we have recommended under Medicare two things:
One, that as far as Federal payments to hospitals and doctors,
nursing homes, there should be a 7 percent increase in price
or cost for hospitals and nursing homes and a 4 percent
increase for doctors' bill payments by the Federal Government
to the categories.
Now, at the same time, I have seen enough, I
have seen a sufficient number of tragedies involving
catastrophic illnesses -- and I suspect everybody in this
room knows a family or knows a person who has had an
extended illness, and if they had any resources, they
were gone as they were bedridden with horrendous costs ---
hospital, nursing home and doctors for an extended period
of time.
(MORE)
BERALD
R.
FORD
LISRARY
HEALTH
Including my health care reforms, I propose to
consolidate some 59 separate Federal programs and provide
flexible Federal dollar grants to help States, cities and
local agencies in such important areas as education, child
nutrition, and social services. This flexible system will
do the job better and do it closer to home.
To help States and local governments give better health care
to the poor I propose that we combine 16 existing Federal
programs including Medicaid into a single $10 billion Federal
grant.
Funds would be divided among the States under 2 new
formula which provides a larger share of Federal money to
those states that have a larger share of low income families.
I will take further steps to improve the quality of
medical and hospital care for those who have served in our
armed forces.
Hospital and medical services in America are among
the world's best but the cost of a serious and extended
illness can quickly wipe out a family's lifetime savings.
Increasing health costs are of deep concern to all and a
powerful force pushing up the cost of living.
The burden of 8 catastrophic illness can be borne by
very few in our society. We must eliminate this fear from
every family.
I propose catastrophic health insurance for everybody
covered by Medicare. To finance this added protection,
fees for short-term care will go up somewhat, but nobody
after reaching age 65 will have to pay more than $500
a year for covered hospital or nursing home care nor more
than $250 for one year's doctors' bills.
We cannot realistically afford Federally dictated
national health insurance providing full coverage for all
215 million. Americans. The experience of other countries
raises questions about the quality as well as the cost
of such plans. But I do envision the day when we may use
the private health insurance system to offer more middle
income families high quality health services at prices
they can afford and shield them also from catastrophic
illnesses.
Using the resources now available, I propose improving
the Medicare and other Federal health programs to help those
who really need more protection: older people and the poor.
President Gerald R. Ford
State of the Union Address
January 19, 1976
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
THE PRESIDENT: I do not believe that we can, at
the present time, embark on a broad Government organized,
financed and directed health insurance program. I believe,
however, that we should immediately, as I indicated in the
State of the Union address, move to what is best known as
catastrophic insurance for those who have extended illnesses,
whose resources are drained and who have no means whatsoever
-
of adequate health care, doctor care, hospital or nursing
home care.
I think we must take first things first, make the
program work and move from there after we are sure that
program is operating properly.
PRESIDENT FORD
FEBRUARY 8, 1976
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPS
DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
GERALD
FORD
LIBORA
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
THE PRESIDENT: I do not believe that we can, at
the present time, embark on a broad Government organized,
financed and directed health insurance program. I believe,
however, that we should immediately, as I indicated in the
State of the Union address, move to what is best known as
catastrophic insurance for those who have extended illnesses,
whose resources are drained and who have no means whatsoever
of adequate health care, doctor care, hospital or nursing
home care.
I think we must take first things first, make the
program work and move from there after we are sure that
program is operating properly.
PRESIDENT FORD
FEBRUARY 8, 1976
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPS
DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
GERALD
FORD
LIGHT
LIBRA
HEALTH
I think it is the greatest tragedy. As a matter
of fact, there are about three million of those people
who are today under Medicare. Three million out of
24 million. I have recommended that the Federal Government
institute a program to take care of catastrophic illnesses
and how would it be done.
It would be done by saying that no patient
would pay more than $500 a year for hospital or nursing home
care or no more than $250 a year in doctor bills. That is
a national ceiling and after that, Medicare would take care
of the total cost.
The individual under Medicare would make his
payments as he is doing it today. I think it is the
right thing to do. It takes care of a critical, crucial
problem that I have seen; some real tragedies all over the
country.
PRESIDENT FORD
FEBRUARY 13, 1976
THE BAHIA MAR HOTEL
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORID
FORD
LIBRARY
HEALTH
MEDICARE
Those who don't qualify won't be taking
that you should have. In the field of health care, money the
Federal Medicare program in 1976 will provide more than $17
billion for the health care of 24 million older and dis-
abled Americans, about 1 million 400 thousand right here
in the great. State of Florida.
/
I have proposed major improvements in the
Medicare program to make it serve you better. One of the
most important improvements is the creation of a system of
health insurance that would pay all but a very small
fraction of the catastrophic cost of complex or extended
care and treatment.
Let me put it this way. There is no reason
that older Americans should have to 80 broke just to
get well or stay well in the United States of America.
Under my proposal the individuals' contribution would go
up slightly, but consider what the increase would
provide.
Nobody eligible for Medicare would have to pay
more than $500 a year for hospital or nursing home care,
and this does not mean that you pay the first $500 of
your total cost. You would pay only 1.0 percent of the
total cost, or $500, whichever is less, and the maximum
annual cost to you for covered doctor's services would be
$250, or 20 percent, whichever is less.
Medicare would pay the rest, whether it costs
$1,000 or $10,000 or $50,000. It is a good program, and
we are going to make it.
PRESIDENT FORD
FEBRUARY 14, 1976
BERALD
FORD
WILLIAMS PARK
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
HEALTH
MEDICARE
Those who don't qualify won't be taking money
that you should have. In the field of health care, the
Federal Medicare program in 1976 will provide more than $17
billion for the health care of 24 million older and dis-
abled Americans, about 1 million 400 thousand right here
in the great. State of Florida.
/
I have proposed major improvements in the
Medicare program to make it serve you better. One of the
most important improvements is the creation of a system of
health insurance that would pay all but a very small
fraction of the catastrophic cost of complex or extended
care and treatment.
Let me put it this way. There is no reason
that older Americans should have to 80 broke just to
get well or stay well in the United States of America.
Under my proposal the individuals' contribution would go
up slightly, but consider what the increase would
provide.
Nobody eligible for Medicare would have to pay
more than $500 a year for hospital or nursing home care,
and this does not mean that you pay the first $500 of
your total cost. You would pay only 10 percent of the
total cost, or $500, whichever is less, and the maximum
annual cost to you for covered doctor's services would be
$250, or 20 percent, whichever is less.
Medicare would pay the rest, whether it costs
$1,000 or $10,000 or $50,000. It is a good program, and
we are going to make it.
R.
PRESIDENT FORD
FEBRUARY 14, 1976
BERALD
your
WILLIAMS PARK
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
SOCIALIZED MEDICINE
QUESTION: In view of all the news items about
social medicine in Britain, do you feel that socialized
medicine in the United States could succeed without being
a burden to the taxpayers?
THE PRESIDENT: I think any nationalized medical
system, anything comparable to that which they have had in
Great Britain and in a number of countries won't work and
I would vigorously oppose it.
Pres. Gerald Ford
Mary E. Sawyer Municipal Auditorium
LaCrosse, Wisconsin
March 27, 1976
GER
SOCIALIZED MEDICINE
QUESTION: In view of all the news items about
social medicine in Britain, do you feel that socialized
medicine in the United States could succeed without being
a burden to the taxpayers?
THE PRESIDENT: I think any nationalized medical
system, anything comparable to that which they have had in
Great Britain and in a number of countries won't work and
I would vigorously oppose it.
Pres. Gerald Ford
Mary E. Sawyer Municipal Auditorium
LaCrosse, Wisconsin
March 27, 1976
GERALD R. FORD
LIBRARY
HEALTH
President Ford Committee
15261 STREET, NW. SUITI 250, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 (202) 6420
RURAL HEALTH CONCERNS
There is a serious and growing disparity between the
health of the 56 million Americans who live in rural America
and that of the general population. Physician and dentist
shortages are more acute in rural America, emergency medical
services are less available, occupational injury and accident
rates are far higher and comprehensive health and public
health services are less available.
For far too long rural health problems have been ignored.
Rural health care was lostosight of in the general break-
down OF all rural services resulting from the great migration
of our population from farm to city during the first half of
this century. In the last decade this migration came to a
halt and to some extent was, reversed. From 1970-1973, the
growth rate for rural areas actually exceeded the growth rate
for metropolitan areas, thus compounding the problem.
The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare has
designated 1,400 counties and regions as critical health man-
power shortage: areas where there are too Few doctors, dentists,
nurses and other health professionals to properly serve the
population Mostcof these are in rural areas.
Let me affirm, in our Nation's Bicentennial year--which
celebrates to such a great extent the positive values of our
rural heritage- that we shall make a major commitment to the
improvement of health care in our rural communities.
I call. upontall our people, rural and urban alike, to
support the goal of improving the quality of rural life through
better health.
the
itizen
in
of
ON
President Gerald R. Ford
Proclamation of National Rural
Health Week, 1976
April 2, 1976
R.
CERRACT
FORD
LIBRARY
HEALTH
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
5
THE PRESIDENT: Let me add one other point. I
have, however, recommended a national -- not a national
but a catastrophic health insurance program for Medicaid
and Medicare people. There are roughly 25 million
Americans who come under Medicare and Medicaid who are --
about three million of them have in one way or another a
catastrophic illness where the costs are high because of
long hospital or nursing home care, or the costs are high
because of operations or medical care.
I think we ought to help those people who are
tragically hurt by these catastrophic illnesses, but it is
a limited program to help those who see their savings gone
and who are forced by these tremendous costs to, in
effect, go on welfare.
PRESIDENT FORD
APRIL 9, 1976
SAN ANTONIO CIVIC CENTER
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
GERALD
will
area
LIBITATY
HEALTH
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
V
THE PRESIDENT: Let me add one other point. I
have, however, recommended a national -- not a national
but a catastrophic health insurance program for Medicaid
and Medicare people. There are roughly 25 million
Americans who come under Medicare and Medicaid who are --
about three million of them have in one way or another a
catastrophic illness where the costs are high because of
long hospital or nursing home care, or the costs are high
because of operations or medical care.
I think we ought to help those people who are
tragically hurt by these catastrophic illnesses, but it is
a limited program to help those who see their savings gone
and who are forced by these tremendous costs to, in
effect, go on welfare.
PRESIDENT FORD
APRIL 9, 1976
SAN ANTONIO CIVIC CENTER
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
GERALD
FORD
HEALTH
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
THE PRESIDENT: I did not recommend to the Congress in
the State of the Union Message, nor do I intend to in 1976, any
national health insurance program. I don't think we can afford
it during a budget year where we are trying to save money. I
don't think we have it finalized to a degree that it is
acceptable.
I think any plan that has been put together so far does
not fit in with our understanding or our beliefs for the patient-
doctor relationship. I just don't believe that the United States
ought to embark on a program of that kind.
PRESIDENT FORD
APRIL 10, 1976
EL PASO CIVIC CENTER
EL PASO, TEXAS
GERALD
DI
FUND
THEREOF
HEALTH
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
THE PRESIDENT: I did not recommend to the Congress in
the State of the Union Message, nor do I intend to in 1976, any
national health insurance program. I don't think we can afford
it during a budget year where we are trying to save money. I
don't think we have it finalized to a degree that it is
acceptable.
I think any plan that has been put together so far does
not fit in with our understanding or our beliefs for the patient-
doctor relationship. I just don't believe that the United States
ought to embark on a program of that kind.
PRESIDENT FORD
APRIL 10, 1976
EL PASO CIVIC CENTER
EL PASO, TEXAS
GERALD
DI
PORO
1
OLDER AMERICANS
MEDICARE
Being in poor health for a long time is bad
enough without having to worry about the ruinous economic
effect of long-term illness. I have suggested a plan to
insure that older Americans will receive medical and
hospital care they need without going broke in the process.
Under this suggestion, Medicare patients in
hospitals or nursing homes would never have to pay more than
$500 a year for medical care or ten percent of their total
hospital bills, whichever is less, for covered doctors
services. The maximum would be $250 or 20 percent of the
total, whichever is less. Medicare would pay the rest,
whether it costs $1,000 or $10,000.
I want see America's older citizens live their
lives in dignity and in security and in the very best
possible care. So to the Sisters of Mercy, who have given
more than a century of service to the sick and to the
disabled in America. They have shown countless tines that
the quality of mercy blesses both those who receive it and
those who give it.
PRESIDENT FORD
MAY 7, 1976
BERGAN-MERCY HOSPITAL
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
GERALD
R.
FORD
MEDICARE
Being in poor health for a long time is bad
enough without having to worry about the ruinous economic
effect of long-term illness. I have suggested a plan to
insure that older Americans vill receive medical and
hospital care they need without going broke in the process.
Under this suggestion, Medicare patients in
hospitals or nursing homes would never have to pay more than
$500 a year for medical care or ten percent of their total
hospital bills, whichever is less, for covered doctors
services. The maximum would be $250 or 20 percent of the
total, whichever is less. Medicare would pay the rest,
whether it costs $1,000 or $10,000.
I want ot see America's older citizens live their
ives in dignity and in security and in the very best
possible care. So to the Sisters of Hercy, who have given
more than a century of service to the sick and to the
disabled in America. They have shown countless times that
the quality of mercy blesses both those who receive it and
those who give it.
PRESIDENT FORD
MAY 7, 1976
BERGAN-MERCY HOSPITAL
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
GERALD R. FORD