Old Familiar

There was something for everyone--at least everyone over 65. President Kennedy last week sent to the Congress a message devoted entirely to aid for the aged. Its recommendations ranged from tax benefits to increased employment opportunity. But among 36 separate proposals, it was plain that the Administration plans to bring its biggest guns to bear on behalf of the program New Frontiersmen figure has the heftiest political wallop: medical care for the aged under social security.

This year's medicare plan is a twin to last year's proposal, which was killed by a 52-to-48 vote in the Senate. The Administration has made only two detectable changes. One would extend coverage to 2,500,000 more oldsters by including everyone over 65, instead of only those eligible to receive social security or railroad retirement benefits. The other would give the elderly a choice between a couple of new coverage plans: the first would provide 45 days of free hospital care; the second would provide up to 180 days of care if the oldster paid for the first 2 1/2 days himself. The plan would cost an estimated $5.6 billion over the first five years. Initially, increased social security deductions would finance care for those qualified for regular social security benefits. General tax revenues would pay the rest.

Opposition to the plan began immediately. Medicare does seem likely to pass the Senate, which is even more lopsidedly Democratic this year than last. But there will be real problems in getting the bill out of the House Ways and Means Committee. And even if it gets to the House floor, there is no assurance that it will pass. Still, the President expressed optimism--and urgency that seemed at least partly political. Said he of his costly program: "Health insurance for our senior citizens is the most important health proposal pending before the Congress. We urgently need this legislation--and we need it now."

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