ABSTRACT
In1941-42anepidemicofrefonnfeversweptthroughGreatBritain. Althoughitdidnotoriginatewithingovernmentcircles,itsooninvaded them.Swayedbythecumulativeeffectsofthreeyears'exposuretowarand thepervasivespiritofuniversality,theMedicalPlanningCommissiontook thefirstdecisivestepinpreparationforacomprehensivestatemedicalservicethroughthepublicationofitsDraftInterimReport.Acceptingthe profession'srefonnistidealismprimafacie,theInterdepartmentalCommittee onSocialInsuranceandAlliedServicestookthenextstepandissuedamore specificblueprintforanewsocialorder,incorporatingmanyoftheM.P.C.'s suggestions.Yetmostofthecommittee'sproposalswerefarfromrevolutionary.SirWilliamBeveridge,thecommittee'schairmanandthepersonultimatelyresponsibleforthereport'scontents,drewfromhisvastexperience inthefieldsofsocialinsuranceandunemployment.Hisbeliefsincontributoryinsurance,voluntaryaction,andindividualinitiativeallmadetheir mark.TheuniquenessoftheBeveridgeReportlayinitscohesionandthe simplicitywithwhichtheauthorattackedeachareaofconcern.
