HIP, HIP

The advance of social medicine is breaking no speed records in the U.S. But in New York City last week it got a sharp spur: the city's Board of Estimate approved a "womb to tomb" health plan for 175,000 municipal employes and their families. More important, the city's action put pep in a new organization, the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York.*

HIP, a brainchild of New York's ex-Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, is one of the most comprehensive health schemes U.S. citizens have been offered. Members must also subscribe to a hospital insurance plan, such as Blue Cross. For a total annual premium ranging from $38.64 for an individual to $111 for a family (about half paid by the employer, half by the employe), they will get unlimited medical treatment for almost any disorder except acute alcoholism and drug addiction. It will include preventive medicine, with a thorough physical examination at least once a year.

The new group has impressive sponsorship ; its directors include Banker Winthrop Aldrich, Macy's Beardsley Ruml, A.F.L.'s Matthew Woll, Dr. Willard Rappleye, dean of Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. Having signed up the city government, HIP last week began to enroll private employers too. Eligible for membership: any employe with less than $5,000 a year income, provided 75% of his firm's employes join (minimum group: 25).

HIP is wholly voluntary, combining health insurance with group practice. Its services will be provided by teams of doctors, each composed of some 25 selected general practitioners, surgeons and specialists. Each doctor will have some 800 "patients" (sick and well), will be paid about $20 a year per patient.

A HIP member can choose his group and "family doctor," is entitled to 24-hour service. An internist will take care of the patient's stomachaches, an obstetrician will shepherd his wife through maternity, a pediatrician will look after his children --and nobody will worry about fees.

*Some 10,000,000 U.S. citizens are enrolled in various medical insurance plans, most of them providing only limited services.

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